Isis Brown
Not many people look forward to paying bills, but Isis Brown is eager to pay on her first mortgage. “Writing a check for a mortgage instead of a rent means I’ll be paying for something that’s mine,” Isis said.

When rent expenses outgrew her budget after Hurricane Katrina, Isis took steps to regain control of her situation. The family of three moved in with Isis’ mother in December 2005. At the same time, Isis applied to buy a Habitat home and prayed for the best.

“I would like to give a big thanks to Habitat for the opportunity to become a home owner,” Isis exclaimed.
Moving in to her new house is the first step in Isis’ plan to better her life. “I don’t want a job anymore, I want a career,” she said. Isis has worked in a preschool for two years and is considering getting certified as a paraprofessional educator.

As a single parent of “two wonderful children” ages 13 and 15, Isis said owning her own home will benefit her children as well. “I could never afford a three-bedroom home, especially after the storm when rent rates sky-rocketed. My son and daughter have always shared a room.” And, right now, Isis sleeps in her living room while her children share the bedroom.

“Owning a house will be a mental relief for us all.” Thanks to Habitat, Isis is proud that she will be able to provide a stable and secure environment that will help the teenagers to focus on school, she added.

“Murnique and Murray ask me daily when their new house will be ready.” They are just as eager as their mother enjoy the comfort of living in their own house.

“This is truly a dream come true for all of us,” Isis said.

Cynthia Lewis
Cynthia Lewis’s motto is “Walking by Faith.” She has lived up to her motto with her decision to move to Covington in search for better opportunities for herself and her family.

“We didn’t know anybody here, we just moved here by faith,” Cynthia said.

Cynthia and two teenage daughters live in a rented a house in an unsafe neighborhood full of “negative activity” and look forward to moving to their new Habitat home in 2008.

“I feel happy and fortunate that I was chosen to buy a Habitat house,” she said. “I don’t want my kids to struggle like I did when I was their age.”

Cynthia recalled that her mother died before she was able to fulfill her dream of buying her own house. When Cynthia discovered that she needed surgery on her colon in 2008, she prayed, “Lord, let me live long enough to pay for this house, to let my kids have a place to live.”

“I feel so blessed, so honored that the Blitz Home Builders are coming to build my house!” she exclaimed. “I love where my new house is and I know my kids will be safe there.”

“God is a miracle worker,” Cynthia stated. “We were meant to be here in Covington. He hasn’t steered me wrong yet.”

Catherine James
When Catherine James was pregnant with her first child, her maternal instincts overwhelmed her decision making. She researched the best programs to study to the best job and the best housing situation for herself and her newborn.

Catherine, 28, is the proud mother of Nicolas, a precocious three-year-old who likes to write his ABCs, build big block houses and sing songs. She works as a dietary specialist at St. Tammany Parish Hospital and is studying at Delgado to work in Health Information Systems. “When I finish the program in 2009, I’ll have a good schedule that will allow me to spend time with my son.”

They have lived in a rented one-bedroom, shotgun house since Nicolas was born, and Catherine is more than ready to spread her wings. “We share a bedroom now, so there’s not much space for Nicolas to play,” Catherine said. Having a Habitat home will let Nicolas enjoy his toys and “being a kid,” she added.

Beyond needing a little more elbow room, Catherine longs to live in a safer environment. “There’s always loud music, always confrontations in the area. I just don’t feel safe.” Mother and son are looking forward to feeling secure and comfortable in their new Habitat home this summer.

“Habitat is a big, big blessing for us,” Catherine said. “We’re finally going to have a better place to live with space to grow. I am so appreciative.”