More Than a New Roof: Healthy Homes Contractors Help Build Community
When families have access to affordable, quality housing, the whole community benefits. This concept is at the heart of the affordable housing arm of Nationwide Children’s Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families initiative.
Healthy Homes renovates and builds homes in the South Side and Linden in partnership with local contractors, such as SavKon Construction, LLC and WJ3 Enterprises, LTD. Both businesses are run by self-taught entrepreneurs who care deeply about the communities they serve.
Sheryl Marrero is founder and CEO of SavKon Construction, LLC. Sheryl’s interest in renovation began when she was 6 years old, growing up in a rural Georgia town. Home magazines in hand, she liked to pretend she was fixing her grandparents’ house to look like the rooms in the glossy pages.
That fantasy came to life when she bought her first home and refinished the floors herself. She began helping others with their home projects and, in 2009, her renovation hobby became a business. In 2018, Sheryl was introduced to Healthy Homes through the Economic & Community Development Institute (ECDI). SavKon has been a Healthy Homes contractor ever since and has completed 83 renovation projects to-date.
Wade Jordan III, founder and CEO of WJ3 Enterprises, LTD, grew up in the Hilltop. In 2005, he was introduced to renovations and maintenance when he bought a duplex; he rented one half and lived in the other. Over time, Wade built a portfolio of rental properties, but as the housing market shifted, he pivoted to new construction. When a friend introduced him to Healthy Homes, Wade was well-positioned to take on both renovations and new builds. WJ3 has constructed 66 projects to-date, with more to come in the future.
Whether they’re installing energy-efficient windows, replacing a roof or building a new home, the SavKon and WJ3 teams treat Healthy Homes homeowners with respect. They’ve seen for themselves the impact home repairs can have. Sheryl shared a story of walking through a property with a homeowner. After leaving, Sheryl doubled back to give the homeowner a document and found the woman crying. “She was crying with happiness that she was going to get these needed repairs,” Sheryl said.
Wade described a homeowner and elderly veteran whose home needed extensive exterior work. Later, when Wade returned to visit, the homeowner gave him a big hug. He was thrilled that his previously caved-in porch was solid and now included handrails to help him climb the steps safely.
Sheryl and Wade both appreciate the relationships they have with Healthy Homes. “If I had to do it alone, I wouldn’t be able to reach as many people. With Healthy Homes as a partner, I can do so much more for the community where I live and work,” Sheryl said.
Wade appreciates that with Healthy Homes, he can not only help the community but also offer job security to his team and his network of subcontractors. “I want to take care of them, too,” he said.
Healthy Homes’ goal is to ensure Columbus families have access to safe, affordable housing – but their positive impact touches the whole community along the way.
Repairs allow elders to stay in their beloved homes and pass down knowledge to grandchildren. New builds create affordable rental and homeownership opportunities—giving families the space and stability that their children deserve. Local businesses, like SavKon and WJ3, can grow and support their staff members, ensuring economic stability.
It’s more than just a new roof or siding – it’s a brighter future for everyone.
Published November 2025
