Our Habitat: Better Future Built, By Matthew Whittle

Last month we had the pleasure at Habitat for Humanity of Goldsboro-Wayne of celebrating a monumental occasion for nine of our families – the “burning” of their mortgages.

Of course, because we held this celebration at the W.A. Foster Center in Goldsboro, we shredded, instead of actually burning, the mortgages, but the sentiment was the same.

“Today we don’t just burn paper; we ignite hope. We celebrate freedom from debt, the strength of partnership, and the enduring impact of a foundation on which people can build their lives,” said Habitat Community Outreach Coordinator LaToya Stallings.

And at no time is that impact any more obvious than when our families tell their own stories.

Gwen Allen reminded us how transformational a stable home can be, sharing how not only were her children able to set off on successful careers for themselves, but how she also was able to go back to school, earn her own nursing degree and become a supervisor at the O’Berry Center.

“I thank Habitat for all of that,” she said.

Another homeowner, Robin Ward, shared her story of perseverance and how, like many of our families, she was denied the first time she applied, but was able to qualify the next year.

“Anything worth having is worth pushing for,” she said.

And while these are only two quick examples, they are emblematic of the more than 100 stories our homeowners could tell as they not only built their new homes, but also built their families on this foundation of strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.