A Home Full of Heart: Driss and Majda celebrate dedication day with community, culture, and gratitude

On a picturesque Sunday in early June, Driss, Majda, and their four children embodied the spirit of community and family at the dedication of their new home. As the kids played with other youth, Majda poured homemade hot tea from a Moroccan teapot into vintage Moroccan tea glasses, and offered a spread of homecooked dishes. The couple also thanked guests for attending and posed in pictures.

Left to right: New homeowners Driss and Majda pose with family friend Mary Johnson, State Rep. Brian Ashe (D-2nd District Hampden), Springfield City Councilor At-Large Kateri Walsh, Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity (GSHFH) Executive Director Aimee Giroux, and GSHFH Board President Ray Walsh at the June 1 dedication in Springfield.

Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity (GSHFH) staffers, board members, volunteers, city officials, and family friends celebrated the completion of construction at 1688 Dwight St on June 1. More than 35 people attended the event in the backyard of the two-story home.

“This house represents stability for us,” said Driss. “It will allow us to focus on raising our children and helping them achieving their goals, so they can grow and contribute positively to society.”

Construction began in summer 2024. This project was made possible by sponsorships and donations from James Hardie, Key Bank, the Davis Family Foundation, RJL Contracting, Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, and Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Springfield, which let Habitat use its parking lot. It’s across the street from the new home.

“We can’t do this on our own and it’s always so gratifying to see the amount of people who come out and are a part of this,” said Aimee Giroux, GSHFH executive director. “Most people do not have any previous construction experience, but are willing to give some effort and time to make this happen. We can’t do this alone.

“We all know how important housing in right now, especially in Springfield. To try and have affordable decent housing for people is our part to have an impact in this community, city, and in Hampden County,” Aimee said.

Two-hundred seventeen individual and corporate volunteers were involved in the endeavor to build GSHFH’s 67th home in Springfield. Many came from Restoration City Church, Liberty Bank, MassMutual, MGM Springfield, Positive Regard Network/Springdale Education Center, Appleton Corp., Commonwealth Care Alliance, Liberty Mutual, OMG, M&T Bank, Second Baptist Church of South Hadley, and Westfield State University, among others.

“I had the opportunity to come down here with my Chief of Staff, Robin, and spend a few hours helping with work. It does really make you feel good when you know you’re not only giving back to the community, but also giving back to the family that needs and cares so much this project,” said State Rep Brian Ashe (D-2nd District Hampden). “Habitat for Humanity is not just about building homes, it’s about building hope, stability, and a brighter future for families in our community.”

Family friend Mary Johnson spoke about the early days when Driss, Majda, and their two girls lived with her family. She spoke of their friendship, when Majda helped Mary with her Arabic, and taught songs in Arabic that Mary said she still sings with her own children.

“Majda taught me what it looks like to love your friends, to really love them,” said Mary. “This is a truly beautiful neighborhood here. It already has so many wonderful neighbors, homes, and families. Now that Majda and Driss are here too, I know they’ll fit right in. They’ll bring their kindness, the Moroccan hospitality, kindness, and love to everyone they meet.”

In 2018, Driss and Majda, with their two young daughters, immigrated to Western Massachusetts via a lottery diversity program in hopes of discovering a new country and gaining more opportunities. For several years, the family acclimated to the United States, welcomed two sons, and lived in a house in West Springfield. One day a car crashed into the home causing structural damage. The house was condemned and the family moved into a tiny two-bedroom apartment in the same town. The older girls shared one bedroom. Driss, Majda, and the younger two boys shared the other bedroom. Driss said because the rent was too expensive and the apartment is too small, they applied to the Greater Springfield Habitat homeownership program in early 2023 after learning about it from a friend.

Driss and Majda are expected to close on their home later this month.

To learn more about Greater Springfield Habitat’s homeownership program, visit habitatspringfield.org/how-to-apply