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The Passos-Louzado Family ~ Perry Avenue, Worcester
Written in November 2004
Four years ago, husband and wife Andre Louzado-DaSilva and Marcia Passos were living in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil with their daughter Alexia when Marcia’s mother had fallen ill while living in the United States. Soon after, Marcia lost her job. Andre then worked many hours to support his young family ~ and he and Marcia were concerned. After much discussion, they decided to move to the United States to help her ailing mother and seek better opportunities for themselves. Although they worried about their inability to speak the language, they enrolled in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes as soon as they arrived. When Marcia’s mother was well, they discussed returning to Brazil because Andre’s mother was then sick. However, Andre got a better job, their second child was due, and there were no prospects for employment in their home country. Life was better here than in Brazil, so they decided to stay.
One day, Alexia brought home a flyer about Habitat for Humanity from her pre-school. Marcia and Andre did not think they would qualify due to their limited English, but they knew they needed a home, as their apartment was small and unsafe. They also wanted Andre’s mother to come live with them so they could care for her. With much trepidation, they submitted their application two years ago.
After months of consideration, the Family Selection Committee arrived at their door to congratulate them on being selected for a home. Marcia and Andre were surprised and happy, but it wasn’t until their first Family Partnership Committee meeting with other Habitat families that they knew it was for real. Both of them have been working diligently on the Paine Street duplex to earn their sweat-equity hours. Marcia says that helping others is a wonderful feeling; and Andre has enjoyed learning how to build his house so he can make repairs when needed.
Now, Andre and Marcia no longer worry about the future, which holds so much promise for them, their mothers, and daughters Alexia (6) and Beatriz (4).
2006 UPDATE
Marcia and Andre took ownership of their Perry Avenue home in September 2006. They are excited and relieved that daughters Alexia and Beatriz will grow up in a safe and secure home.
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The Culross Family ~ Paine Street, Worcester
Written in November 2004
Until six years ago, June Culross was a single woman, living and working in Worcester. Her situation changed significantly when a family crisis resulted in June stepping forward to take in her three young nieces, then ages four, three, and two. Since then, she has tried her best to provide for MacKenzie (10), Kylee (9), and Breanne (8).
The four were living in a small, two-bedroom apartment with inadequate plumbing and heating and no window screens, making summers even hotter and winters colder than most others experience. The neighborhood was unsafe for the girls to play in. They all had dreams of owning their own home. But with the high cost of housing in Worcester, there was no way June could afford even the smallest house; and a larger apartment was too expensive, leaving them with no options.
Then in December 2003, June read a newspaper article about GWHFH’s call for homeowner partners. She completed the forms, knowing that many others would be applying as well. June and the girls talked about owning a home, but tried not to get their hopes too high. Several months later, while waiting for two Family Selection Committee members to make a second home visit, June made a small pot of coffee, expecting to serve two visitors. When the entire 10-member committee showed up with flowers and balloons and announced that June and her girls had been selected, the four of them danced with joy.
June says she still cannot adequately describe her feelings that day. She is especially pleased for Mackenzie, Kylee, and Breanne, as they will have a safe home in which to grow. The idea of having a half-bath and a real linen closet is almost too much for them to imagine. June reveals that the girls always ask if they can help build the house, however, they are too young to be on-site. Instead, they are helping their aunt/legal guardian earn sweat equity hours by getting good grades in school. June feels a strong connection to Habitat and the other partner families, and she hopes to help build other families’ homes when hers on Paine Street is completed later this fall. Each Saturday morning, she arrives on-site full of energy and enthusiasm ~ and she is amazed not only with the construction skills she has acquired, but also with the kindness and generosity of Habitat’s volunteers.
June has always dreamed of entertaining friends but has never had room. Now, as she helps build her home, she is already starting to make plans.
2006 UPDATE
June Culross took ownership of half of the Paine Street duplex in June 2005. MacKenzie, Kylee, and Breanne are all thriving and enjoying having a home of their own. All four of their lives have been “totally changed,” says June. “Having plenty of heat and enough hot water for daily living makes such a difference.”
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The Holley Family ~ Grove Street, Worcester
Written in May 2001
A Worcester native, Elaine Holley has lived in the city all her life. She had a rough upbringing surrounded by substance abuse; yet she stayed strong and supported her family when it needed her. Considered to be the rock among her family members, Elaine never thought she would be in her current situation. She and her four children ~ Chrashinda (13), Trevor (11), Tommie (10), and Claire (9) ~ were recently forced to move in with Elaine’s mother. Also living in the small, three-bedroom apartment are Elaine’s sister and children, plus a family friend and her kids. With 12 people cramped in the diminutive space, as many as four people must share not only a room, but also a bed.
“Never in my adult life have I lived with anyone,” Elaine says. “I’ve always been the one who people came to when they were in need. My mother let us stay with her, but this is only temporary because of the size of my family.” Elaine’s strong faith and daily prayers have kept her going, and she has always had hope that someday she and her children would find their own place. “I just want to give my children the world. There is so much love between the five of us. I believe that coming upon Habitat for Humanity was a miracle for us.”
Elaine learned about Habitat through the Internet last fall when she was searching for housing programs. After contacting the Greater Worcester affiliate office, she attended an informational meeting at one of Worcester’s schools. At that meeting, Elaine discussed her dire living situation with a Habitat volunteer who encouraged her to apply for a house. “I was really lucky to find Habitat on the computer,” she stated. “I don’t know what I would have done otherwise, because I had gone to other agencies in Worcester and didn’t find much support from them. Now I have some direction in my life and I know where I am going.”
Elaine also has worked hard to establish solid credit. Although she has a good job at Allmerica Financial, like many young people, she had more credit cards than what was really needed. So, Elaine went to credit counseling to clean up her report. She closed some of her accounts and started using cash more often than relying on credit cards. “It feels really good to have cut up those cards. I really didn’t need them, and it’s a relief to not have that debt anymore.”
Last year, on her own initiative, Elaine took a first-time homebuyers’ course through the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, and she is very proud of the certificate she received for completing the course. Elaine also has attended a class that encouraged women to do construction work; and she has done quite a lot of reading and research to learn what she needs to know to own a house. “I actually started the process to become a homeowner long before Habitat for Humanity came into the picture.”
On the evening of March 19, 2001, Elaine was astonished when she received a knock on her apartment door and found 10 jubilant people (members of the Family Selection Committee) standing in her doorway. “I was so surprised when the committee came to my house to tell me I was going to be a Habitat homeowner. It is going to be very different for me and my children to own a house, but we are very excited about it. There will be many changes, and our lives will be so much better. Organizations that help people provide so much light, and I want to thank the people at Habitat for doing that for me.”
2006 UPDATE
Elaine officially became a homeowner in September 2002. Her Grove Street was one of six “Project Remember” homes built or renovated in Worcester to honor the memory of the six firefighters who tragically lost their lives in the December 1999 fire that destroyed the Worcester Cold Storage Building. The Holley family truly appreciates having a home of its own, which often has become “sleepover central” as Elaine says, referring to the weekend slumber parties her children have often hosted for their friends.
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The Burns Family ~ Boundary Street, Northborough
Written in December 2000
Cindy Burns and her six-year-old son Tim currently live with her parents in Northborough. Cindy’s family is originally from the town, so being able to stay in the community was very important to her. “My options were limited, even for subsidized housing, and I was looking at a 10-year wait,” she revealed. “Had I not been selected by Habitat for Humanity, I don’t know what I would have done.”
Cindy learned about the Habitat home ownership opportunity from a flyer that Tim brought home from school. The two will be living in a duplex home on Boundary Street in Northborough. Their dwelling will have two bedrooms, a living room, dining area, kitchen, sunroom, one and a half bathrooms, and a basement. The expected cost to build the house is approximately $165,000, a price reflects the numerous hours volunteers have contributed to the house. Many people ~ from trades workers contributing their professional expertise to individuals lending a helping hand ~ have donated both time and effort to the house.
The sweat equity requirement is something Cindy is looking forward to. “By the time the home is completed, I will really know the house inside and out,” she pronounced. Cindy went on to explain that she plans to be involved with as many aspects of the house construction as possible.
One of the special features of the Habitat arrangement is the Family Partnership program. Each homeowner has an advocate who answers questions, counsels, and assists the Habitat family with difficulties that many first-time homeowner encounter. “It is great to know that someone will be there for my questions when I might need help,” Cindy acknowledges. The Family Partnership program provides assistance to owners on all types of issues affecting the home, ranging from bills to plumbing to taxes.
Cindy currently works as a financial representative for a computer company in Marlborough. She enjoys reading, crafts, and camping. “I have my roots in the Northborough community and consider myself so fortunate to be able to raise my son here,” she says.
2006 UPDATE
Cindy and Tim moved into the home in December 2001, just in time to celebrate Christmas. Burns acknowledges those who were involved in building her home. “I have so much gratitude for everyone who has contributed. It has been a year I’ll never forget. Every time I look at the roof, I will remember the people who worked so hard in the blistering sun to make it just right…The house is alive. It is full of laughter, sweat, and a few unfortunate drops of blood.”
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