• Janet Davenport
• Violet Wise
• Octavia Dozier

Janet Davenport

“Have you met Janet yet?” After being in the presence of Janet you soon understand why this question is so important. A woman that radiates a light of positive energy; you would not want to miss meeting the funny and personable Janet Davenport. With such an upbeat tempo it is hard to imagine the rough patches Janet has had in her life, but it has taken her unwavering faith and a hope for change to get her to where she is today.

Janet grew up in Lexington Terrace, one of the most crime ridden projects in Baltimore City. She had some hard times but turned her life around. She heard about Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity through a mail clerk that passed by her job. Excited about possibility being able to move out of her Section Eight housing and into a home of her own, she gave up a spiritual retreat to be one of the 200 hopefuls that attended the homeowner orientation. As she sat in the front row that day she thought to herself “it has to be me”. Miriam Hardes, volunteer coordinator at Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity, described Janet’s eagerness by calling her the “first lady” for getting her application in so soon after orientation.

Her partnership with Chesapeake Habitat has not only given her affordable, interest-free housing but an opportunity when she “never thought she would have a home of her own”. Her excitement shows in her commitment to the sweat equity process and her eagerness to be a part of the development of her new neighborhood. Janet “loved construction” and enjoyed watching a vacant lot go from being empty to having a beautiful home built on it. She also watched the progress of other homes while completing her sweat equity and while getting involved in the community. Particularly during the Women Build at 9 North Washington Street she met some great people that she still keeps in touch with. Patty, an AmeriCorps member, remembers Janet from the Woman Build as being “a remarkably fast learner” and that “her spirits were high all day”.

Janet is a testimonial to the great things that come to those who have faith and will. She said that she has put “god first” to make the dream of homeownership a reality for her and her family. Janet thanks her faith and determination for making it possible for her to be the new homeowner of the charming 100 N. Bradford Street row home that she will share with her daughter and grandson. She hopes that her strength will encourage her daughter to graduate college and buy her own house someday.

Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.
– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.