The Judy Newman Building Beauty Awards

Judy helping a Habitat homeowner during our 2022 Plant Share

The Judy Newman Building Beauty Awards

If someone were to drive down a street full of Milwaukee Habitat homes, they would likely see many of them adorned with flowers, plants, and other decorations. If they walk to the backyard, they might just see a garden full of vegetables and an outdoor seating area. 

For many Milwaukee Habitat homeowners, their Habitat home marks their first opportunity to have full ownership of decorating their yard. Many of them plant flowers for the first time or dive into their dream of gardening. 

One way that Milwaukee Habitat supports homeowners in their gardening efforts is by hosting an annual Plant Share event. The Plant Share event is an event exclusively for Habitat homeowners where they can shop for plants and learn gardening techniques from experts for free. 

For years, Judy Newman helped lead the Plant Share, sharing her knowledge with the community of Habitat homeowners who’d attend. She was part of many garden clubs, a gardening educator, a floral designer in Wisconsin, and more. Judy passed last year, and her legacy lives on in gardens across the Milwaukee area, including those of Habitat homeowners. 

Judy Newman pictured with Milwaukee Habitat Family Services Director, Natasha Gray

For a long time, Judy would visit the homes of Habitat homeowners and give them pointers on what they could do to take care of their plants. Throughout the year, Judy would grow plants under lights in her basement to make sure she had enough plants for the homeowners every year. She also cultivated friendships with many people who owned greenhouses and procured plant donations from them for the event. 

Those that worked with her in the Plant Share and knew her from gardening clubs say that she would do anything for anyone that needed a hand. No one had to ask for help, because Judy was already there offering it. 

Judy has always believed in the power of nurturing life and embracing resourcefulness. Her passion for gardening has grown into a legacy, as she has shared her wisdom far and wide, empowering countless Habitat homeowners to cultivate thriving gardens of their own.

This summer, Milwaukee Habitat hosted the Judy Newman Building Beauty awards to honor Judy. It was a chance for Habitat homeowners to nominate their home or their neighbors’ homes for a chance to win the following awards: Best Landscaping, Greenest Thumb, Ultimate Backyard, and Judy Newman House of the Year. The homes were then put to a vote and winners were selected for each category.

Here are the winners of each category, along with a brief bio for each homeowner.

Ultimate Backyard: Arilynn H.

Arilynn is a single mother of four daughters and has been a Habitat homeowner for nine years. She is a business owner and has owned and run Arilynn’s Treats for three years. 

Ever since she was young, Arilynn had the goal of owning her own home. 

Since becoming a homeowner, Arilynn has finished many house projects. She has updated light fixtures, removed walls, put up marble walls, upgraded bathrooms, finished her basement, and fixed up her backyard. She laid a concrete walkway around her home and has a concrete gazebo area along with an area for a barbeque grill. 

“I have made it my business to turn my house into a HOME for me and my four daughters …Habitat provides you a house, but it is on you to make it a home… Your home can be anything you want it to be, just like mine.”

Greenest Thumb: Tawyana D.

Tawyana is a registered nurse and single mother of six children. She moved into her Habitat home in 2006 and the first gardening she did was starting a flower garden. She kept expanding her garden and eventually started growing her own food. She grows grapes, blackberries, rhubarb, cucumbers, sugar snap peas, and so much more. She noticed how this was saving her money and now tries to grow as much food as she can during the summer.

“It taught me how to take care of myself. If I was trapped out in the world, I’d be able to grow something and have some food. During COVID, this is what helped me keep my sanity. I got injured… [my garden] kept me busy because I got up everyday like I was working, and I came out here with my crippled leg and worked in the garden.”

Best Landscaping: Brad A.

Brad grew up learning construction skills from his parents. After his term in the Air Force, he worked in television before starting to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. His leadership skills made him an important part of the Habitat volunteer team and he enjoyed the construction work.

Brad and his wife Catherine have been married for ten years and have two boys. Before moving into their Habitat home, they had an apartment that was too small for their family. They moved into his Habitat home in 2016. 

“We chose a corner lot to provide a nice amount of area for gardening and landscaping.”

Judy Newman House of the Year: Theresa T

Teresa moved into her Habitat home in 2010. 

“The joy and excitement to become a homeowner had me envisioning what I wanted my yard space to look like to be able to entertain family and friends. I became a Habitat homeowner after helping my uncle and aunt rehab their Habitat home. Being a Habitat homeowner means everything to me, it gave me a piece of mind, satisfaction (like you did this), security and a greater love for yard work.”

Congratulations to our winners and everyone who participated!