On September 10, 2010, TriState Habitat for Humanity homeowner Ernestine Givens made her last payment on a 20 year mortgage after only 15 years. “I felt so happy! I said: ‘Thank God!’ Hard work, prayer, and focusing on what was really important paid off”.
What is important to Ernestine is obvious when you look around her home and talk to her - family. Family is the reason why she first became a Habitat homeowner and family is why she made the sacrifices and choices she did.
High Street Baptist Church, Pastor Ron Stuart, Cindy and Bernie Showman, Diane McClain, Craig Ledford, and Pat Wilkerson were just a few of the people who encouraged Ernestine, a former Sunday School teacher at High Street Baptist Church to apply for a Habitat home. They witnessed first hand the servant in her when she gained custody of her two nephews and changed her life to suit theirs and all the other children and family members that followed.
In July of 1994 on a lot where Monroe Elementary School once stood, a groundbreaking ceremony was held. Through her own sweat equity, dedicated volunteers, former Mayor Chuck Furman, and fellow church members, 1248 Lane Street was built. Hers was the first house on the block. Now, 16 years later, a mortgage has been paid off in advance. When we asked Ernestine how she was able to accomplish this when foreclosures are at an all-time high, she said “I would pay a little more each time.” Her philosophy was “why spend money on something you don’t need when something so much more important is at stake? Owning my own home and having a place to share with family and friends is a blessing. I did what I had to do to fight through the challenges, and here I am!”
A scrapbook Ernestine has kept over the years tells the story of her Habitat journey and serves as a precious reminder of the many people who have crossed her path and whose lives she has touched. It is a symbol of pride of ownership, hard work and determination. There will undoubtedly be a few more pages, pictures, cards, and letters added to that book, along with that final mortgage payment receipt.
This Thanksgiving the home she shares with granddaughters Deontara, Daja, and nephew Cedrick will be filled with family from Virginia, friends, and neighbors celebrating and giving thanks. “Dinner will be the usual, unless someone asks for something special; if they do, I’ll make it”. Family and Faith is everything to Ernestine, and doing for others is what she does best.
It's stories like this that inspire me move me forward in the service of our Partner Families. Knowing that tonight families will go to sleep in substandard housing all across the TriState region, I am compelled to give my best to these families as they seek to move from poverty housing to safe, decent, affordable housing. This is some of the most gratifying work that I have ever done.
Well, I'd better be off to bed. It's been a long day and tomorrow will also be long. Things are moving at lightening speed at TriState Habitat for Humanity. We are getting ready to dedicate three houses over the next three weekends - two in Florence, Kentucky and one in Lebanon, Ohio. It's an exciting and bit overwhelming time as I prepare everything for the house dedications and the closings for these three families.
Thanks for being a part of my journey!
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