Megan Young struggled to find words as she walked through her new home with her son on Friday. A short time later, Eliezer and Aline Rushendeka stood quietly with their children, taking in a fully furnished house of their own. It was quite the early Christmas present for the two families, both selected through the Alma Randolph Charitable Foundation’s Hands Up To Succeed program.
Young, the recipient of HUTS Home No. 96, said the moment reflected years of work rebuilding her life, from addiction recovery to regaining custody of her son, culminating in the opportunity to become a homeowner. HUTS partnered with Habitat for Humanity and Owensboro Municipal Utilities for the Youngs’ home.
“I really don’t have the words,” Young said. “I’m just beyond grateful for the Alma Randolph Foundation and for the community that comes together — OMU and all these different places that made this possible for my son and me.”
Young said the process required “a lot of hard work, dedication, and doing a lot of things I didn’t want to do at the time,” but the reward was worth it. Now seven years sober, she works as the catering manager at Salsarita’s and continues to mentor other women through the Fresh Start Program. She’ll soon welcome a new baby as well, with her due date set for December 31.
“This is setting me up for success,” Young said. “I wouldn’t have had the money to come in and do all of this nice stuff for my son and me. It’s amazing. I’m forever grateful.”
Brayden, her 10-year-old son, beamed as he explored his room filled with game console decorations and furniture.
“Just his facial expressions — you can tell it’s changed his whole world,” Young said. “It’s turned a light on in him.”
OMU General Manager Tim Lyons said sponsoring the home was a meaningful way for the utility provider to give back.
“We’ve been in this community for 125 years, and we want to give back,” Lyons said. “Partnering with the Alma Randolph Foundation was the best way to do that. The way she runs things is truly inspirational. We had a number of our employees here helping put this together.”
The home is the fourth completed in Habitat for Humanity’s Carter Community Court neighborhood, a project aimed at creating safe, affordable housing for local families.
“We believe a home is more than four walls. It’s the foundation for stability, dignity, and a better future,” said Amanda Green, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Owensboro-Daviess County. “Dedicating a home during the Christmas season reminds us what this work is truly about: love, hope, and community.”
Meanwhile, the Rushendeka family was honored with HUTS Home No. 97, sponsored by Big Rivers/Kenergy. The couple emigrated from the Democratic Republic of Congo and have built a life in Owensboro alongside their four children.
Through an interpreter, Eliezer shared his deep gratitude.
“May God continue blessing each and every one of you,” he said. “When we came from Africa, we were welcomed warmly. We thought we were alone, but now we have a big family here that supports us.”
Eliezer works full-time at Perdue and supports the family without government assistance. The family’s nomination came from Justin Todd with Industrial Leasing, who manages their rental property and serves on the Alma Randolph Foundation board.
“Mere words can’t express how thankful we are,” Eliezer said through his interpreter. “God bless this foundation, God bless the government of the United States, and everyone present here.”
Alma Randolph Crump, founder of the charitable foundation, reflected on nearly 100 HUTS reveals since 2016.
“I’m totally overwhelmed with joy,” she said. “Each time we do this, it’s like — how do we top it? I’m just incredibly grateful that awareness is growing and that more companies are stepping in to help.”
Both families’ homes were made possible by local sponsorships and volunteer support. OMU and Big Rivers/Kenergy not only provided funding but also sent employee teams to prepare the homes. Longhorn Steakhouse donated Christmas gifts for the children.
The Alma Randolph Charitable Foundation’s HUTS program continues to grow in its mission to provide a “hand up, not a handout,” offering disadvantaged families a path toward safe, stable housing and restored dignity.
