Agency hands keys over to couple and single mother during June 16 ceremony.
Jacey and Darius, along with Helene Brault, are the new homeowners of a Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North build in Bala. Kim Woodcock shared a touching story with all those who gathered on a street in Bala on June 16.
The chief executive officer for Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North told of a mother and a son who were struggling to find a home. The occasion was the ribbon cutting for two new Habitat homes, located in Bala, which were presented to the two owners on that day.
Woodcock said the mother named Janet had a “challenging home environment,” that eventually forced her to make a difficult decision to take her son away from where they were living to stay in her parent’s basement for a time.
“In that time, the stress of the uncertainty, the shame, the insecurity meant that Devon was starting to show these signs in his grades and behaviour until they were selected for a Habitat home.”
Woodcock said the two moved into their home four years ago, and with the affordable monthly mortgage payments, Janet had enough money to enrol Devin in extracurricular activities.
“Devin knew he wasn’t going to move any time soon, so he committed to his schooling. And last year, after four years in a Habitat home, he made the honour roll. Devon’s life today looks very different from what it did four years ago, and it’s because the Habitat for Humanity model has power, and it literally can change lives.
“If you’re standing here, you’ve contributed to that. It is real, and we thank you,” she said.
The moving story was applauded by the 50-some Habitat volunteers, officials and local dignitaries in attendance, along with new homeowners Jacey and Darius — they didn’t wish to give their last names — who will occupy one side of the semi-detached duplex, and Helene Brault, who will live in the other part with her daughter Simona.
Jacey said she and Darius are “extremely excited to be a part of the Habitat for Humanity community.”
“As many of you know, there is a huge housing crisis going on, as many of us said today. And together, we have a great understanding of what it is like to fall victim to that,” she said. “You donated to what we like to call the hashtag Bala build, or as we like to know it as our forever home. With full hearts and a bright future ahead of us, we thank you for everything.”
“You changed my life, to give me more,” Brault told habitat volunteers and officials gathered at the ribbon cutting. “I just wanted to say thank you, thank you so much.”
There is still work to be done to the property, and the two new owners are expected to be inside their homes sometime early this summer.
Brent Cooper – Gravenhurst Banner – Friday, June 16, 2023