Shirley C. Williams stood on the porch of her new home, a milestone for Habitat for Humanity in Gary, and tried to describe what it means to her.
“It’s been truly a blessing,” said Williams, who retired in 2006. “I don’t know what kind of words to say. It’s been life-changing.”
The baby blue home on the 17th block of Adams was the last of 12 built there in an initiative Habitat called “Field of Dreams.”
“There are so many partners, supporters and volunteers that have helped us complete this,” said Dan Klein, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana, adding the group is ready to go on construction of more homes on the 18th block of Adams, but needs more volunteers.
Bridgette Simmons, Habitat’s volunteer coordinator, said the non-profit depends on volunteer labor to build affordable homes for low-income families.
“The volunteers are not only vital to our organization, but to the partner families that are moving into these homes,” Simmons said.
Dawn Michaels, Habitat director of development, said skilled volunteers are especially needed.
Bill Ambry, who has been volunteering for four months, and Larry Biegel, who has been volunteering for three years, said they enjoy what they get to do.
“It’s always a very emotional experience,” Biegel said of seeing a new family move into a home.. “It’s always very touching.”
Habitat for Humanity has built 75 homes in Lake County since the local branch started in 1986.
Habitat houses are sold to qualified partner families with no-interest mortgages. Williams, like other partners, contributed 300 “sweat equity” hours, but she remains an active volunteer as a way to express her gratitude
She said her monthly house payments are half of what she was paying in rent for an apartment.
“Habitat for Humanity is like a family for me,” Williams said. “I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done for me.”
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Habitat took 10 years to complete the first block of homes on 17th and Adams, but Klein hopes to complete the next block in three years, provided enough volunteers sign on to help.
“We’re excited about starting this second block of homes and we will continue servicing and building homes in Northwest Indiana,” he said.
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