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Two weeks ago, joy and gratitude rang out loud and clear on Thistle Street in Bristol, honoring all those who came together to make homeownership attainable for a local first-time homebuyer. Serina Gaston, Habitat Bucks’ new Chief Executive Officer, emphasized what is possible when people join one another in compassion and shared purpose. Every hand has an immeasurable impact on a homebuyer’s transformative journey to homeownership, including their own. “It truly takes a village,” Serina shared. “To LaToya and her family, you have so much to be proud of. You walked through that door with ambition, perseverance, and courage. To you, I say congratulations and welcome home.” Surrounded by that village, including friends, family, volunteers, and local community leaders, LaToya was lifted up as a person of faith and perseverance. “When one door closes, another one opens,” LaToya said, speaking directly to her children and imploring them to “keep going.” She is keenly aware that this moment is about the long view, seeing in herself an example for others who have walked similar paths, especially as she purchases a home in the very neighborhood where she was raised. Alongside more than 250 on-site volunteers contributing over 1,355 hours, including 1,000 hours completed by Woodside Church of Yardley, this newly constructed three-bedroom house is finally the place LaToya and her family can call ‘home.’ Habitat Bucks is proud partners with Bucks County, as this homeownership project was financed in part by a HOME grant from the County of Bucks Department of Housing & Community Development and an LSA grant from the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Bucks. We also extend our gratitude to our generous supporters who made these projects possible, including the Parx Casino, M&T Bank, PECO-Exelon, Woodside Church, GAF, and Lemus Construction. Habitat Bucks also thanks those who attended the dedication, including local, state, and federal leaders: Representative Tina Davis, a representative from Senator Steve Santarsiero’s office, Jeff Darwak of the Redevelopment Authority, Regina Freeman of the Bucks County Department of Housing & Community Development, Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie, and Representative Brian Fitzpatrick. The dedication was recorded on Facebook Live. To view it or to learn more about how to get involved with Habitat Bucks, please visit Habitat Bucks’ Facebook page. About Habitat Bucks: Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County’s mission is simple: Building Communities, Empowering Families. Since 1990, Habitat Bucks has built or fully renovated 138 homes in Bucks County through its Homeownership Program, providing first-time homebuyers the opportunity to build strength, stability and self-reliance. Its Home Repair Program provides affordable home repairs and accessibility modifications for low-income homeowners, impacting more than 500 households since 2011. Habitat Bucks also has a financial empowerment program, Almost Home, where over 450 participants have saved more than $315,000 and reduced their debt by over $203,000 since 2016. Additionally, Habitat Bucks coordinates three ReStores, Habitat’s brand of donation center. Revenue from its three ReStores provides a source of sustainable funding for the construction and repair of homes. Habitat Bucks has an open-door policy: All who believe that everyone deserves a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to volunteer to lend a helping hand. For more information, call 215.822.2812 or visit habitatbucks.org.
Two weeks ago, joy and gratitude rang out loud and clear on Thistle Street in Bristol, honoring all those who came together to make homeownership attainable for a local first-time homebuyer.
Serina Gaston, Habitat Bucks’ new Chief Executive Officer, emphasized what is possible when people join one another in compassion and shared purpose. Every hand has an immeasurable impact on a homebuyer’s transformative journey to homeownership, including their own.
“It truly takes a village,” Serina shared. “To LaToya and her family, you have so much to be proud of. You walked through that door with ambition, perseverance, and courage. To you, I say congratulations and welcome home.”
Surrounded by that village, including friends, family, volunteers, and local community leaders, LaToya was lifted up as a person of faith and perseverance.
“When one door closes, another one opens,” LaToya said, speaking directly to her children and imploring them to “keep going.” She is keenly aware that this moment is about the long view, seeing in herself an example for others who have walked similar paths, especially as she purchases a home in the very neighborhood where she was raised.
Alongside more than 250 on-site volunteers contributing over 1,355 hours, including 1,000 hours completed by Woodside Church of Yardley, this newly constructed three-bedroom house is finally the place LaToya and her family can call ‘home.’
Habitat Bucks is proud partners with Bucks County, as this homeownership project was financed in part by a HOME grant from the County of Bucks Department of Housing & Community Development and an LSA grant from the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Bucks. We also extend our gratitude to our generous supporters who made these projects possible, including the Parx Casino, M&T Bank, PECO-Exelon, Woodside Church, GAF, and Lemus Construction.
Habitat Bucks also thanks those who attended the dedication, including local, state, and federal leaders: Representative Tina Davis, a representative from Senator Steve Santarsiero’s office, Jeff Darwak of the Redevelopment Authority, Regina Freeman of the Bucks County Department of Housing & Community Development, Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie, and Representative Brian Fitzpatrick.
The dedication was recorded on Facebook Live. To view it or to learn more about how to get involved with Habitat Bucks, please visit Habitat Bucks’ Facebook page.
About Habitat Bucks: Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County’s mission is simple: Building Communities, Empowering Families.
Since 1990, Habitat Bucks has built or fully renovated 138 homes in Bucks County through its Homeownership Program, providing first-time homebuyers the opportunity to build strength, stability and self-reliance. Its Home Repair Program provides affordable home repairs and accessibility modifications for low-income homeowners, impacting more than 500 households since 2011. Habitat Bucks also has a financial empowerment program, Almost Home, where over 450 participants have saved more than $315,000 and reduced their debt by over $203,000 since 2016.
Additionally, Habitat Bucks coordinates three ReStores, Habitat’s brand of donation center. Revenue from its three ReStores provides a source of sustainable funding for the construction and repair of homes.
Habitat Bucks has an open-door policy: All who believe that everyone deserves a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to volunteer to lend a helping hand. For more information, call 215.822.2812 or visit habitatbucks.org.