Carman & Dwight:
Carman & Dwight have been “blessed” to be Habitat homeowners for five years. They applied for the Habitat program while living in a program called Threshold for homeless, mentally challenged and recovering addicts. Since graduating from the Threshold program, they have accomplished homeownership and more! Carman has been employed at Midtown Mental Health Center for five years as a Peer Support Specialist. She is currently attending college and plans to pursue a degree in Social Work. Dwight owns a cleaning service called Christian Brothers Cleaning Service. They are both involved in their church Pathway Missionary Baptist Church and outreach ministry “Recovery Thru the Light.” In their outreach ministry, their mission is to help, educate, encourage, and inspire the community, no matter where a person is today, they can change and help others. Carman & Dwight believe that the best thing about being a homeowner is to have something of your “own,” especially after their personal experiences living in vacant homes and unsafe places. Secondly, they enjoy sharing their blessing, their home with family and friends. Because of their personal experiences, they have encouraged others to consider homeownership too. “Encourage others that through hard work and asking, seeking and not giving up, they can have a new home…”

Bernita Prentiss:
Bernita Prentiss first heard about the Habitat homeownership program through a co-worker who suggested that she would be a good candidate. Bernita had never owned a home and  had lived in the same apartment for over 11 years. She decided that she wanted to become a homeowner to show her three daughters that if you are motivated and dedicated you can accomplish your goals, including homeownership. Although it can be tough once you realize that you have to be your own plumber and do your own repairs, Bernita has been up for the challenge and more. She has made improvements to her home including installing new carpet, hardwood floors, additional insulation, and landscape bricking. In addition she has remodeled her kitchen and bathroom and has plans to change her garage into a family room and sunroom. Life has changed for Bernita and her daughters since becoming homeowners also. Bernita has finished her Masters in Psychology and gotten married. Her oldest daughter Melinda is a Freshman at Indiana State on full scholarship and her two younger daughters, Melia and Melaja also have plans to attend college. Bernita has overcome many challenges in her life and hopes to show others that if you reach for your goals, anything is possible!

Denise Smith:
Denise and her five children were living in a crowded 2 bedroom apartment before becoming Habitat homeowners. Denise reports that building her home was a family project and remembers she and her children participated in many aspects of the building of their  home. Denise has continued to value service work since becoming a homeowner and is currently a HOST mentor for the Wayne Township School Corp., a mentor at IUPUI, and a mentor for Training, Inc. Since becoming a homeowner, she has completed her undergraduate degree and is currently working on a Masters in Library Science. She currently works for the Brightwood Library as a Youth Public Service Associate. Denise’s oldest child Stefani, who is developmentally delayed, resides in their home and her two youngest children, Courtney and Stefan,  return home on their college breaks from Purdue University and Cleveland State University. Her second oldest daughter, Dana,  is married with one child and is a homeowner herself. Dana graduated from IUPUI and is currently pursuing a MBA. Her oldest son, Chris, recently graduated from Harrison College. Denise states that her biggest success is her children and how they have turned out. She is also proud of what she has accomplished, adding that she hasn’t “done it alone.” Denise encourages new homeowners to ask questions and access the support and resources available.

Frankie Vance:
Frankie  (Legge) Vance has been a homeowner for five years and learned about the program from a friend who is also a Habitat homeowner. The process happened quickly for her and she built her home the same year that she entered the program. Before moving into her home, she rented Section 8 houses. She said that the landlords did not take care of the homes and she would end up moving every few years. Frankie  said that she enjoys the stablility that her Habitat home brings her.  She has had other changes in her life since she became a Habitat Homeowner. She is now a Vault Teller and is training to be a manager at the bank where she works. She also married her “sweetheart” of 16 years this year. She now has two children in college. Her oldest daughter is a Junior at Indiana State University studying pre-law. Her middle daughter is a Freshman at University of Southern Indiana and intends to study Nursing. Her youngest  daughter is a Sophomore in high school and also intends to go to college to be a medical professional. All three of her daughters are 21st century scholars receiving free tuition to state colleges.  Frankie still has pleasant memories from building her home and remembers her sponsors Irwin Mortgage and St. Vincent’s Hospital. She remembers walking through her home for the first time with tears in her eyes. Frankie says that she wouldn’t “trade my home for the world.”

Charlene Watson:
Charlene Watson has been a Habitat Homeowner since 1991. She learned about the Habitat program through a newspaper ad. Prior to becoming a homeowner, Charlene and her six children were living in a hotel room.  At that time, she attended an orientation meeting to learn more about the Habitat home ownership program. She almost left in the middle of the meeting because she thought that she would not qualify. Encouraged by Habitat staff to stay at the meeting and apply, she was eventually accepted into the program.  Charlene’s house was built during a blitz in which seven homes were built at once. Now 17 years later, many changes have occurred with Charlene’s family and with her Habitat home. Five of Charlene’s children have grown and moved out on their own. She is proud of all her children, including her daughter who is a teacher at Park Tudor High School and her daughter who is a make-up artist for CNN. Charlene has also made improvements to her home, including to her kitchen and bathrooms.  She also added a deck to the back of her home. Although it may be more quiet at her home now with only one child living there, Charlene has eight grandchildren that visit to liven things up! Charlene believes that without the Habitat program, she would not have had the opportunity to own a home. “Being able to know something belongs to you” is the best thing about being a homeowner, according to Charlene.