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Homeowner Stories |
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New Homeowner Knew Lisa Nelson knew early in her life exactly what she wanted to do. She wanted to work with young children and make a difference in their lives. And, for the last 15 years she has been doing just that. She has worked herself up to the position of kindergarten teacher at the Education Station in Bloomfield. “We have a wonderful school here,” says Lisa. “We have a great diversity of children and parents and a wonderful mix of everything that is right about Essex County and New Jersey. It is a pleasure to work there and to be involved in the formation of young lives. We can see them learn and progress and I’m delighted to be able to work at what I am so committed to doing.” Right now Lisa and her three children are living in a six story high rise in Newark that is not the right environment for them (or anybody else for that matter). “We think management is working towards changing the place,” commented Lisa. “They are encouraging a lot of people to leave so we really don’t know what will happen next. They are not taking care of the building at all and it gets worse every week.” As a result the apartment building, which is in a questionable neighborhood, is mostly vacant and not the kind of environment this a single mother wants for her three children. Her son Micheal, 20, is a graduate of West Caldwell Vocational School, a union member and an apprentice carpenter working in Verona.. Keith, 16, is finishing up at Arts High School in Newark as a music major. He plays tenor sax in the marching band and is very involved in the music program. He is hoping to attend the University of Maryland. Troi, 3, is the youngest of the Nelson clan and is now attending day care. It is for all three that Lisa is working so hard on a new home, but in a lot of ways Troi is the one who will benefit the most and the longest. There is no yard to play in for her now, just a neighborhood that is not safe for such a young child. Soon that will change. Lisa is soon to be the proud owner of a brand new home on Fairmont Avenue, just a couple of blocks from the Habitat for Humanity Newark office and volunteer center. For the last year Lisa has spent every Saturday working on her home and the home of other partner families. It is this critical group of partners who move these homes towards completion. By the time their homes are complete they are friend as well a neighbors and they help each other and all the children of the community. They are well prepared to be good neighbors. It can’t be easy for a young single mother to teach kindergarten five days of the week and then do construction work every Saturday. “My kids are so excited to have a new, nice place to live that as a team we have pulled together to get this done. Every Saturday either one of the boys or my mother is on hand to take care of Troi so I can go and work. I know Troi misses me, but she understands why I am doing this and is so excited about a new house that she always asks me if the house is ready yet.” Lisa grew up in Newark and is crucially aware of all the changes taking place. “It is fantastic what Habitat has done for this neighborhood. All these new homes and new families have upgraded the area and made it a much better place to live,” said Lisa. When the house is ready, and Troi is a little older, Lisa plans on returning part time to Caldwell College where she is about half way towards a Bachelor’s Degree in English/Education. “I may go on and study social work, but I know I want to stay involved with young children and helping them learn," she concluded.
This is Her Chance to “I always knew the day would come when I could stand in the sunshine and enjoy a great life.” That is what Judy Boodhramsingh, one of Habitat for Humanity Newark’s new home owners said to describe the feelings she and her family are enjoying in their brand new home. “I keep pinching myself because it’s just too good to be true. Now I get up to beautiful sunshine in my own bedroom with a fantastic view.” Her life has changed dramatically. Judy and three of her children have been living in a substandard basement apartment with one bedroom, a bath room, a kitchen and a general purpose room with beds, a TV and a computer. “The place was not very pleasant, it had a hole in the ceiling and mold behind the book cases,” according to Judy. “We moved in right before Christmas,” she continued, and we have had a splendid holiday this year!” For the past year Judy has been working every Saturday performing the “sweat equity” portion of her commitment to becoming a homeowner for the first time in her life. She, and sometimes her children have worked on the site and helped out in the office. Seeking more opportunity and a better future for her children, Judy came to the US 19 years ago and took up temporary residence with her Aunt and Uncle in New York City. They helped her find a job and get established. The youngest children came with her, but it took another five years before she could send for her two oldest children to come and join her. She immediately began working in the child care business taking care of young children, first in her own apartment and then later in the homes of the children. “I have always taken care of children and I think it is a great way to earn your living,” she comments. She has worked in this profession ever since. Judy is the mother of five. Sadie, 26, lives in Tennessee with her husband who is stationed there with the US Army. Sasha, 24, lives with her husband and their two children in Irvington. Both young women work at banks. Rajaine, 20, works at the new Prudential Center and lives with his mother. Also living in their new home are Shannon, 18, a senior at Irvington High School who is planning on attending Rutgers next fall and Crystal, 16, a sophomore at Irvington High. Shannon has helped with computer tasks at the Habitat office. When Judy first applied to become a partner family, she was not financially qualified. But when she knew what had to be done she focused on cleaning up her credit rating and financial situation and won the opportunity to be a home owner. Asked what truly interests Judy, with a shy smile she says, “Well, the soap operas hold a great deal of interest to me, I tape them and watch them in the evening. They give me a great deal of enjoyment.
This New House is Family’s Major Turning Point “When we were approved as a partner family with Habitat for Humanity Newark everything in our lives changed for the better, it was a real turning point for us,” said a smiling and enthusiastic Randy Green who, with his two daughters recently moved into a brand new home on Fairmount Street in Newark’s Central Ward. “I had heard about Habitat for Humanity’s program in Newark from a good friend, Robert Jackson who is a partner family and then again from my sister-in-law Shirley Glass who is also a partner in the program. They both encouraged me to apply and that was a great beginning for a new life for my girls and myself,” continued Randy. Randy is unique to the HFHN program. He is the only single father, ao far. He has two daughters. Cherriece (affectionately called Cherry) who is 20 years old and Jentora, age 19. Cherry is a nursing student at Essex County College and a part time nurse’s aide. She hopes to conclude her studies to become an RN in about two years. She has worked almost every weekend on their new home. Jentora suffers from cerebral palsy and is bussed each day to a special school in Westfield, NJ. She requires extra supervision and attention to make sure she exercises regularly to keep her legs working properly. Jentora is looking forward to a back yard for that purpose. The family moved from Brick Towers on MLK Jr. Boulevard in Newark where they have lived since 1999. Randy said that he was involved in the tenant association and was working hard to protect that building and keep it a safe place to live, but the chance to move his family into a home with more space and a back yard was just a perfect opportunity. Born in Neptune, NJ, Randy lived in the Asbury Park and Newark areas while he was growing up. A smile comes to his face when he remembers his grandmother in Asbury Park and the wonderful things she taught him. “She was truly my inspiration. She taught me that life will have ups and downs, and no matter what happens to me I must never, never quit. That has made all the difference in my life and I will never forget her,” said Randy. Randy graduated from what was then called Southside High School in Newark (now called Malcolm X. Shabazz High School). Then he joined the Job Corps and had the opportunity to travel to Ironwood, Michigan where he enjoyed meeting the local people and learning about different cultures. For the last eight years Randy has been delivering auto parts. He works for Herman’s Auto Parts in Livingston and delivers to auto repair shops and body shops in Northern NJ. Randy, who has worked far more than the mandatory 400 hours to help earn his home, really enjoys the HFHN program. “I have been able to meet all kinds of great people who come here and volunteer. These folks are amazing and it is great to see all the different people who come to help. I’ve met doctors, lawyers, journalists and people with many different professions as well as people from many different parts of the area. It has been great to see all these people working in harmony, and I have thoroughly enjoyed working on this house,” said Randy. Cherry says that, “moving into this house is just the happiest thing. We are safe and secure here and roach free. We have great neighbors, and this is a wonderful community. It has been a long year and a half. We worked on every part of this house from the ground up and we are delighted with it.” This is the first home the Green family has ever owned and their smiles and enthusiastic attitude tell the complete story of just how happy they are.
A Better Life, A Wonderful Home for the Marbeys Life in the West African nation of Liberia, in the 1990’s was not easy. A despot named Charles Taylor, a man the US later helped depose, controlled the country. Civil wars were rampant. Killing was everywhere. Fear of getting killed or of starvation made everyday activities difficult and life itself precarious. This is where Patricia Marbey came of age. In 1990 marauders broke into her home and forcibly removed her husband and his son. The young man managed to escape, but her husband was never heard from again and was declared dead. He worked in the Commerce Department, which evidently made him a target of the rebels. “In Liberia sometimes you would work four months and only get paid for one or not get paid at all,” recalls Patricia. “You would go to bed at night not knowing who would break into your home or where they might take you. You could end up in a displaced shelter, or a marketplace or a jungle. You never knew.” Patricia remembers one incident so clearly it could have been yesterday. She recalls a time when she and her family were running from rebels. They were just running, they did not know exactly where to go. They had to stick to the brush so they would not be caught in the towns. They came to a river they had to cross to keep ahead of the rebels. Patricia could not swim but she walked across that river in water up to her neck to reach the other side safely. One of her daughters carried a bundle on her head across the river with pieces of cloth and small necessities. Another daughter carried some rice. She wanted to throw it out because it was heavy and she was tired. But, they desperately needed the food. She made it safely across, with the food. Finally they all reached the Firestone Plantation, an American owned shelter that included the Dewside Hospital. They were safe there, but only for a few days when they were forced to go on the run again. For a period of time after that experience the family remained on the run. At one point, Patricia was separated from her two daughters. She did not know their whereabouts until they were reunited over a year later at a church where the young girls had sought shelter. On the plus side, Patricia recalls the warm, kind people of Liberia. “Many of our friends and neighbors were extremely kind. People would share the little food they had so that we would not starve,” she recalled. In 1999 Patricia got a break. Two of her neighbors in Liberia had managed to escape to the US earlier and had settled in Newark. Edward and Maryann Gbor were able to get Patricia a Visa and an airplane ticket to the United States. She left the horror and terror of life in Liberia behind. “The US is wonderful!” she exclaims. “You have freedom, you are not living in a constant state of fear. You don’t have to worry about the basic needs of life. It is truly amazing,” she said. Patricia is a graduate of the University of Liberia with a degree in social work and had been working in that field. When she got to the United States she participated in several training programs that helped her get a job as an assistant at the Andover Subacute Rehabilitation Center where she later became a nursing home attendant. Patricia furthered her education and became certified in New Jersey as a social worker and is practicing in that field today. Here in New Jersey Patricia has quite a family to care for. Her son Sylvester is a senior at Montclair State College hoping to graduate in May. Patricia Kathleen is studying to become an LPN at the New Community Charter School in Newark. Lynette is studying physical therapy at Essex County College. Faith is a sixth grade student at the Discovery Charter School and granddaughter Darlyn attends kindergarten at nearby St. Rose of Lima School. Before moving into their new home, the entire family lived in cramped quarters in East Orange. She was familiar with the good work of Habitat For Humanity International in Liberia, and when a friend told her about the Habitat For Humanity program in Newark she applied to become a partner family. “This was a tremendous opportunity for us,” she said. “We were going to have to work hard, but for the first time ever we were going to be able to own a home of our own.” The Marbeys became residents of the second house sponsored and built by HFHN Women Build. “We are so comfortable here,” she said. It is a beautiful, private home, we have quiet places for the children to study and learn, great places for them to do their homework, and a wonderful back yard for the younger children to play.” Patricia says; “The HFHN community has become very important to us. I remember the caring people in Liberia, and it’s the same here. People here really do care; they will do so much for you. Our friends in this community help each other constantly and I tell the children I am off to visit my ‘second family’ when I leave to go to HFHN headquarters. We are truly comfortable here. Even when we have problems we are so contented that we know we will be able to work our way through them.” It is a long way from West Africa to Newark. For Patricia
Marbey and her family life is better here in many ways that the
rest of us can’t even comprehend.
A Home Of Their Own Twenty years ago Silvia Diaz, her mother and two younger siblings fled from El Salvador where political and military unrest had created a society that was not safe. They needed a new place to live where they would be safe, and where they could flourish Silvia and two of her three children will soon be moving into a brand new home of their own in Newark, courtesy of the Habitat for Humanity Newark program. Silvia and her family have lived in Newark and Irvington since arriving from El Salvador. First they lived with their Aunt in Irvington where she earned a GED from Irvington High School and later in Newark where they rent a cramped apartment just a few blocks from where they will be moving. Silvia’s first job was doing assembly work at the Ideal Toy Factory on Ferry Street in Newark. That plant closed a few years ago. For the last six years Silvia has worked for the YMCA in Maplewood where she is a lead teacher in the infant care section where they provide day care for working mothers of infant children. Silvia is the mother of three. The oldest, 21 old Kevin Santiago, serves with the US Navy in Washington State. Looking forward to far better living conditions with their mother are; 17 year old Emily Santiago, a senior at University High School and 12 year old Anthony, a 7th grader at Dr. Elma Flag Grade School. The children’s father died several years ago. Silvia was able to meet recently with the church group that is sponsoring her home, when she attended services at Presbyterian Church of Upper Montclair and spoke to a group at the church. The church sent a group of volunteers to work on their home under construction in late September. The Presbyterian Church embarked on a capital improvement campaign to upgrade their facility and bring it into compliance for all congregation members needs. They decided while they were improving their church, they should also tithe part of the capital they raised to help others. To do that, they chose to sponsor a home through the HFHN program. Silvia is excited to see her home move towards completion and is
thrilled with the work of neighbors, staff and volunteers. “It
is like we had an army of helpers here today, everybody working
hard to bring this home together. My family is so excited, we can
hardly wait to move in, and are grateful to the Presbyterian Church
and to so many people who have made it possible,” she said. Qy-Deara Nathan arrived home one day to find a bag of literature hanging on the door knob of her apartment. Unbeknownst to her, its contents would change her life Some of the material in the plastic bag appeared to be trash, so she tossed most of it. However, there was an offer for a free Bible. Something for “free” sounded good to her, so she decided to call for a copy of the Bible. Also nestled amongst the bag’s contents was a book entitled The Book of Hope . Reading the book would change her life. It would bring positive people into her circle of friends, expand her perspective, and eventually introduce her to Habitat Newark. Offering the free Bible were the leaders of Assembly Church of God, in Newark. Qy-Deara would eventually attend this Church and become not only a member, but also become employed as the Church’s Secretary. The Church’s Pastors, Paul & Andrea Valerius, took a special interest in the young woman whose life story included a tragic, sometimes painful childhood. Qy-Deara escaped a 3rd floor house fire that claimed the lives of her brother, sister and an uncle. Her mother was never able to emotionally recover from the tragedy. Overcome by grief, Qy-Deara’s mother turned to drugs. The addiction slowly eroded the family’s financial stability. The electricity in their apartment was often shut off because the bill went unpaid. Sometimes, a generous neighbor would allow them to run an extension cord from their house—so the family could have lights or run appliances. Maintaining obligations, like paying rent, became impossible. Qy-deara, the other remaining children, and their mother were evicted from each apartment they lived in. Clothing was kept in bags rather than in bureaus and drawers, because there was never an opportunity to get comfortable. . .they would soon be evicted and moving again. The constant moving caused Qy-deara to attend 17 different elementary schools. Each move forced her into new surroundings. She was always the “new kid on the block,” and “the outsider” who had to fistfight to prove herself worthy of acceptance. When Pastors Paul and Andrea entered her life, they exposed her to a world she didn’t know existed. They brought hope into her life. She had never been outside of Newark, New Jersey. With them, she began to travel to places like Washington and Pennsylvania. They taught her how to drive a car, how to create a budget, and how to establish credit. Most importantly, they introduced her to the teachings of Christ. Her eyes were finally opened to some new possibilities. They also wanted Qy-Deara to learn about the variety of programs designed to improve the community, which explains why they brought her to Habitat Newark’s Raising Roofs Breakfast Fundraiser. It was at that event she learned of the organization’s mission of improving lives through building affordable houses. She heard Kim Wilson, a Partner Family member, describe how much Habitat means to her and her family. Qy-Deara listened as Kim marveled at being a homeowner. Kim’s enthusiasm gave Qy-deara hope. She quickly applied for the Partner Family program and was accepted in 2005. Qy-Deara is the mother of a 5-year old daughter. She recently married Richard Nathan on October 29, 2005. Qy-Deara hopes through Habitat Newark to build a stable home for her family . . . she wants it to be a safe haven. She wants them to understand that—unlike in her current living conditions—a backyard is for playtime, not a spot for gang initiations. She wants them to see that walls are made for hanging art—not for graffiti and profanity. Her home, built with the help and hope of Habitat Newark staff and volunteers, will be the first place she can actually call her own. It will have an intense meaning to her that most of us take for granted. This new life journey began with Qy-deara reading The Book of Hope , which she almost discarded. Its contents continue to manifest in her heart, her spirit and her life. Kim Wilson moved into her new Habitat Newark home in September,2005 and says, “We are still euphoric about the house. We just love it and are thrilled to be living there.” “I am amazed at all the people who helped build our home,” Kim continued. “It was enlightening to see all kinds of people from all walks of life who were there because they wanted to help someone. It took a whole village to build this house, and I appreciate it.” Kim and her two children, Amirah (age 12) and Isaiah (age 8), are enjoying their first home. Kim is the Financial Secretary for the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark. Kim, a very personable woman, said the 400 hours of service to help earn her home took “patience, endurance, faith and prayer.” She started the process in June 2003 and said her mother watched her kids on Saturdays so she could work. “My kids missed the time we spent together, but appreciated the fact it was leading to a new home,” she concluded. From Kim, to her mother, to her children, to all of the wonderful volunteers and staff that had a hand in the building process, it’s evident a whole village helped build one family a home, and that the Habitat model of creating simple, decent shelter one family at a time lives on. As a novice house-builder, you expect to learn lessons about hanging sheetrock, carpentry and plumbing, but for one Partner Family there was a greater lesson. “The actions of Habitat Newark’s staff and the many volunteers taught me that there are people who are willing to give and expect nothing in return,” says Yolanda Hayes. She and her two daughters and son are the proud homeowners of one of the newest houses in the Habitat Newark neighborhood. Sitting at her dining room table that seats six, she is still astonished at the charity and willingness of strangers to help build, and furnish, her house. The generosity is continuing. A fellow church member, Sister Donaldson, donated a dining room table, chairs and hutch. Yolanda wasn’t able to splurge on central air conditioning, so Habitat Newark gave her three A.C. units. Her eldest daughter was in need of a bedroom set and a family that was relocating out of state donated theirs. An 18-piece place setting of beautiful dishware arrived at her door thanks to Rich Lackowitz, one of our faithful volunteers. Verizon employees not only volunteered at the building site of her home, they donated a computer to the family. Another charitable man promises to bring her a swing set for the children. The giving just keeps coming. What Ms. Hayes probably doesn’t realize is that giving to her is a joy. She has a gracious and pleasant demeanor and her gratitude is evidenced in her daily use of the donated objects. She describes herself as “plain not fancy,” so items like nice dishware are not reserved for “special occasions.” She feels everyday in their new house is a special occasion. Her children can drink soda out of elegant stemware and the dining area is used for everyday meals. This house is the answer to Yolanda’s prayers. A faithful woman, she believes that prayer changes things and that you have to be open to God’s blessings—and sometimes you have to work for them. Becoming a Partner Family and committing to build houses every Saturday for more than a year, required many sacrifices. It meant not spending Saturday “family time” with Tanequa (age 15), Mariah (age 8) and Isaiah (age 5). In fact, most Saturdays her teenager was in class and Yolanda had to find adequate childcare for her two youngsters. She had to call on family, friends and coworkers to help watch her children. There were many times when all she wanted was an extra hour of sleep or to take the kids to a local park. Those mornings when she was tired, sleepy or fed-up were overpowered by thoughts of living in her new 3-bedroom house. She persevered and stayed on track. There’s a floor mat at the front door reading “WELCOME TO OUR HOME,” that immediately informs visitors they are entering a home full of pride, hard work and dedication. “It was all worth it,” Yolanda says as she surveys her new surroundings. Now Yolanda has set her sights on a new goal. Once the chilly northeast weather breaks, she wants to help build the next Partner Family’s home. It is important to her that another family lives in their home knowing that others—including Yolanda—are willing to give and expect nothing in return.
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