100 Habitat homes within a half mile of School 17
In 2001, the tragic death of 10-year-old Tyshaun Cauldwell devastated the JOSANA Neighborhood. In a 2019, 13 WHAM story, Ralph Spezio, Tyshaun's principal at the time recalled, "the most difficult thing I ever did was deliver his eulogy. That boy was loved."
Spezio recalls neighbors marching and singing "We Shall Overcome," as church bells rang out from locations all over the city. Then, community outrage became community action. "The people in this community said, 'We have to take things into our own hands. We have to do this for ourselves,'" said Spezio.
Among the many initiatives brought forth by the neighborhood, was the JOSANA master plan and a commitment from Flower City Habitat for Humanity to build 100 homes in the neighborhood. In June 2021, construction began on the 100th home.
Spezio recalls neighbors marching and singing "We Shall Overcome," as church bells rang out from locations all over the city. Then, community outrage became community action. "The people in this community said, 'We have to take things into our own hands. We have to do this for ourselves,'" said Spezio.
Among the many initiatives brought forth by the neighborhood, was the JOSANA master plan and a commitment from Flower City Habitat for Humanity to build 100 homes in the neighborhood. In June 2021, construction began on the 100th home.
July 13, 2021: Golden shovel and wall raising ceremony
Representatives from Thrivent and the Harvest Home Coalition, whose sponsorship made this home possible, joined Habitat staff and Habitat homebuyer, Natasha for a golden shovel and wall raising ceremony to celebrate the early stages of construction at 757 Jay Street.
Representatives from Thrivent and the Harvest Home Coalition, whose sponsorship made this home possible, joined Habitat staff and Habitat homebuyer, Natasha for a golden shovel and wall raising ceremony to celebrate the early stages of construction at 757 Jay Street.
July 20, 2021: Planting begins for the Tyshaun Cauldwell Memorial Garden
Flower City Habitat for Humanity and the Seneca Park Zoo Society begin planting an expanded memorial garden to honor Tyshaun Cauldwell, the 10-year-old whose tragic death 20 years ago helped galvanize the JOSANA Neighborhood. We hope the garden will beautify Tyshaun’s existing memorial site, and serve as a symbol for the continued efforts to strengthen the community and make the City of Rochester a better home for all children.
Plans for the garden include native plants and flowers, as well as walkways to be enjoyed by the community. Flower and plant species will be identified with signage so the garden can serve as an educational site for local youth, particularly the students from Enrico Fermi School No. 17, where Tyshaun was a student.
Flower City Habitat for Humanity and the Seneca Park Zoo Society begin planting an expanded memorial garden to honor Tyshaun Cauldwell, the 10-year-old whose tragic death 20 years ago helped galvanize the JOSANA Neighborhood. We hope the garden will beautify Tyshaun’s existing memorial site, and serve as a symbol for the continued efforts to strengthen the community and make the City of Rochester a better home for all children.
Plans for the garden include native plants and flowers, as well as walkways to be enjoyed by the community. Flower and plant species will be identified with signage so the garden can serve as an educational site for local youth, particularly the students from Enrico Fermi School No. 17, where Tyshaun was a student.
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July 28, 2021: While construction continues on the 100th house, we also caught up with Lissette, the owner of the FIRST Habitat house in JOSANA!
"My house is everything to me," she said. "When I walk in through those doors, this is my sanctuary. This is where I raised my kids. I wanted them to see that if I could reach a goal, this girl from Brooklyn owning her own home, that they could reach any goal they wanted to reach." Hear more from Lissette (1st house) and Natasha (100th house) in the story below. |
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