Homeowner's dream realized by a teacher, inhabiting her 'schoolhouse dwelling', aided by HONK financial assistance.
In the heart of Erlanger, Kentucky, a two-story house with a front porch now stands as a cherished home for Sarah Lewis, a school teacher at Dixie Heights High School. However, this home has a significant historical background, as it was originally the site of The Dunbar School, one of the first schools in the region established specifically to educate African American children soon after the end of slavery.
Founded in the late 1800s, The Dunbar School was a testament to the resilience and determination of the African American community in the Erlanger/Elsmere area. Key leaders of this community, including two formerly enslaved individuals, Thomas and Fannie Green, and a local church deacon named Mat Slaughter, worked tirelessly to establish this school, providing formal education to Black children at a time when such opportunities were extremely limited due to segregation and systemic discrimination.
The transition from an important community school to a cherished home reflects a preservation of history and a renewed personal connection for Sarah Lewis, who describes a deep bond with the house and its legacy. The home, which was a match for Sarah, a single mother with two daughters, was initially a rental property for her before she purchased it. Living in the home allowed her to be familiar with the utility costs and maintenance expectations before making the commitment to buy.
Sarah's dream of owning her own home seemed daunting at first, but with the help of HONK (Housing Opportunities for Northern Kentucky), a faith-based, non-profit organization, her dream became a reality. HONK uses a 12-18 month lease-to-own program to help low-income families and individuals achieve stable homeownership through education and support programs.
Gina Slavey, a HONK Housing Counselor, played a pivotal role in helping Sarah navigate the process of purchasing a home, including improving her credit. HONK has assisted 105 households in Northern Kentucky to become homeowners, and Sarah is one of them.
Significant upgrades have been made to the home, transforming it from a one-room schoolhouse into a four-bedroom, modern dwelling. The home now boasts an extra bathroom on the second floor, upgraded kitchen cabinets, granite countertops, luxury vinyl tile, stainless steel appliances, an open floor plan, upgraded windows, an extra parking pad, and a backyard patio.
Sarah's new home, now known as the Sarah Lewis Home, continues to carry the legacy of The Dunbar School, serving as a testament to the power of education and the importance of homeownership. Sarah's story serves as an inspiration to many, demonstrating that with determination, support, and a little help, dreams can become a reality.
[1] Sources: - Erlanger Historical Society - The Cincinnati Enquirer
- Sarah Lewis's home in Erlanger, Kentucky, which was once The Dunbar School, stands as a symbol of the resilience and determination of the African American community in the Northern Kentucky region.
- The Sarah Lewis Home, having undergone significant renovations, now mirrors the modern lifestyle preferred by its current owner, while maintaining the historical significance of education and community that The Dunbar School represented.
- Living in her cherished home, Sarah Lewis, a school teacher at Dixie Heights High School, continues to uphold the legacy of those who opened The Dunbar School, ensuring the continuation of their efforts in education and empowering future homeowners through organizations like HONK.
