A Journey’s End: Mortgage Payoff Day!
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Anyone who has ever attended a dedication ceremony with Habitat for Humanity can attest to what a joyous and emotional occasion it is. Dedication day is the culmination of a long (and challenging) process which begins with a partner family filling out an application and months later receiving the keys to their new home and a new life. Dedications are a celebration of hard work, of hope, of family and, most importantly, of the power and sheer love of God. They are truly special days. |
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As joyous as the dedications are, there is another occasion which marks the end of the journey and when the families achieve 100 percent ownership in their homes: mortgage payoff day! Recently, Valerie Brown walked into the Habitat offices like she has many times before to make her monthly mortgage payment on her house. On this day, however, with little fanfare or hoopla, Valerie made the very last of the mortgage payments. After years of hard work, her home was all hers. Valerie’s Habitat journey began in 1996. The mother of two was living in Section 8 housing in South Dade, and received the news that her rent would be increasing. A woman of immense faith, Valerie prayed to the heavens and that same day she received a call from Habitat that she had been accepted into the program. After her sweat equity was completed, she purchased a home at Habitat Villas in South Miami-Dade. “I applied for a house because I always wanted to be independent and to show my children that with hard work and prayer, high goals are never out of reach. My children were very proud to move into a new home. It has not always been easy, but God has seen me through.” Valerie works at Miami Coral Park Senior High. Her kids, now grown, both attended college and she attributes part of their success to the stability of homeownership. She is truly an inspiration and a great success story in the journey that is Habitat for Humanity. Congratulations, Valerie! —MA Click here to apply for a home today! |
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