Partner Family Story
My parents grew up in the south of the Unites States / Alabama and North Carolina and moved to Newark over 60 years ago. I lived on the same block for 60 years and purchased my home more than 25 years ago, before I had my daughter who is now 24 years old. I made […]
Mr. Irving Ealy, a life-long Newark resident, has several disabilities including being hard of hearing, blind in one eye and an amputee causing him to be wheelchair bound. Being wheelchair bound in his own home has made it impossible for him to access his bathrooms. His first-floor bathroom is not wheelchair accessible with an additional
Tawayna is a local veteran who resides in Newark who has faced struggles with substance abuse and homelessness but eventually sought treatment and turned her life around. Determined to create a better future, she focused on homeownership and improving her financial situation. After facing setbacks, she eventually purchased her first house and experienced a sense
Partner Family member Kisha reports. “We actually had no damage from Hurricane Ida. If we had not had our gutters repaired [through Habitat of Greater Newark’s Critical Repair & Healthy Homes Initiative] prior to that, they would have fallen off!”
Valerie’s family noticed that their basement was much leakier than the average basement in their neighborhood. Valerie knew that the basement also contained asbestos hazards. But after paying high utility bills for their uninsulated home, the family had little cash to spare for repairs.
Now in their eighties, local veteran Henry and his wife Thelma live in Orange, NJ, on a fixed income. As the years went by, maintaining their home became more difficult. Henry decided to reach out to Habitat of Greater Newark for help.
Veteran Partner Family homeowner Michael says that he “greatly appreciates the help from Habitat,” noting with frustration “It’s difficult to get help when you are a veteran homeowner, as opposed to a veteran who’s homeless or facing homelessness.”
During Sonia’s first year as a homeowner, she replaced her house’s main water line, redid the water-damaged basement, and replaced the roof. Sonia, a Marine Corps veteran, thought, “I can’t possibly get another job [to pay for it all] – I already have three!” Luckily, a coworker mentioned Habitat of Greater Newark’s Critical Repair and Healthy Homes Initiative.
The two-bedroom West Orange apartment that Sisay’s family shared in West Orange was cramped and substandard. The three active children slept in one room, and the family battled cockroaches and rats. Now, after they’ve become a Habitat of Greater Newark Partner Family, Sisay says, “I will volunteer and pledge to make this happen for as many other families as I can.”
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newark families are going places! Ana, a child from one of our Partner Families, went all the way to Harvard University.
