CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — Homes for families in need built by Habitat for Humanity and construction students at Dakota High School were vandalized in Clinton Township.
There was $25,000 in damage done to the homes, and now low-income families preparing to move in within the coming weeks will have to wait longer.
"It was just destruction and making holes in things and busting it up," said Dave Tirsell, Faith and Volunteer Relations manager with Habitat Macomb.
In Clinton township tonight after two teens vandalized two @MacombHabitat homes for future families in need. The cost for repairs in the thousands. What volunteers who built this home are saying pic.twitter.com/DTtJzGTfI8
— Alan Campbell (@AlanCampbellTV) May 23, 2019
Two homes sitting at Baker College waiting for basement work to be done before moving to their final location were smashed, torn and vandalized Monday.
"It’s sad it’s a travesty," said Dr. Cleamon Moorer Jr, chairman of the board at Habitat Macomb. He also helped build the two homes.
Clinton Township police later arrested two juveniles for the vandalism, but they were eventually released to their parents.
"It’s obvious they don’t understand the end result here in terms of a family that is looking for that hand up instead of a handout," Tirsell said.
Volunteers and students at Dakota High School worked countless hours hammering nail after nail, getting the homes ready for future families. Habitat for Macomb says they will press charges but want this to be a learning experience.
"We want to get these kids and embrace them and let them know this is not the right path to go," Dr. Moorer Jr. said.
More pictures from inside two @MacombHabitat homes for families in need. Two teens vandalized the them on Monday. They were caught. What @MacombHabitat wants the teens to do next to repair these home at 10 & 11 @wxyzdetroit pic.twitter.com/N0cjuXl7FM
— Alan Campbell (@AlanCampbellTV) May 24, 2019
Habitat for Humanity builds homes for low-income families, at a small cost. For some families it's a new beginning, a chance to get back on their feet.
"We want the families that contributed the time and energy to actually be able to be able to move into their home and realize the dream of home ownership," Dr. Moorer Jr. said.
This is just another reminder that no matter how much good you do or pour into the world, someone always wants to destroy it.
"We think the community will respond and we’ll be able to have this taken care of," Tirsell said.
If you’d like to help repair these homes either with a donation, supplies or volunteer your time just call Macomb Habitat at 586-263-1540.
