Nursing assistant to receive Habitat houseby Cindy AbolePublic Relations Achieving the American dream of home ownership is the desire that many hardworking individuals and families strive for. In less than three months, nursing assistant Tina Farley and her family will soon realize their dream thanks to the special partnerships she’s forged and the new friendships that have already helped her make her house a home. It was a year ago, when Farley, a single mother of three working in the main hospital’s total joint replacement unit, considered the idea of home ownership through the auspices of Sea Island Habitat for Humanity. Beginning April 30 to May 7, volunteers from Habitat and Women Build, an all-female branch of the nonprofit organization, will work together and devote a week to framing and building for Farley’s John’s Island home. Like most Americans, Farley has yearned to give her family a place of their own. A co-worker told her about the home ownership program with Sea Island Habitat for Humanity, which coordinates volunteers to build affordable houses for eligible families. Established in 1978, the program has helped more than a hundred disadvantaged Lowcountry families own their own homes in Johns and Wadmalaw Islands and neighboring communities. Since 2000, Women Build has sponsored the materials and annual construction of a Habitat house. With the help of dozens of women volunteers, Farley’s will be the fifth house built by Women Build. “This has been a real blessing for me and my family,” said Farley, whose family includes sons Ronald, 13, Byron, 12, and daughter, Desavonna, 11. “Since the beginning, I’ve been overwhelmed by the goodness of people and their desire to help with this project. It’s especially touching to know that the support of friends and co-workers is there. It makes me very happy.” Each year, Sea Island Habitat’s Family Selection Committee reviews applications and focuses on several criteria in selecting partner families. They consider specifics like need for housing, ability to pay a low-cost mortgage and willingness to partner with the program. Partner families also commit to earn at least 500 hours of volunteer time in classroom training, community service and learning workshops. Some of the “sweat equity” hours can be earned by friends and family through volunteering at the Habitat offices, working at the Habitat Resale Store, helping with home-site construction or other service activities. To date, Farley has devoted her free time working at the Habitat store and supporting an area recycling program. Even co-workers have pitched in by volunteering their time working at the store. “This is just wonderful,” said Rena Bligen, a medical social worker for trauma, plastic surgery, orthopaedics, and oral and maxillofacial surgery who knows Farley and plans to lend a hand volunteering next month. “Tina is a hard working, dedicated worker and single mom. This couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person.” In agreement with the partnership, Farley will assist with this year’s Women Build fund-raising efforts. On April 16, Sea Island Habitat for Humanity and Women Build will host “Afternoon Delights,” a wine tasting and gathering at 4 p.m., Irvin House Vineyards in Wadmalaw Island. Food will be provided by The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island and Robert’s of Charleston and other sponsors. Fellow nurse Lisa Guido has gotten to know Farley since joining the unit more than a year and a half ago. When she learned Farley was approved for a Sea Island Habitat for Humanity home, she was thrilled. “Tina’s a loyal friend, an awesome employee and mom,” Guido said, who has volunteered previously with Habitat projects. “She’s always upbeat, smiling and great with her patients. So when I heard about the Habitat partnership, I knew I had to find other ways to help out.” So far, Guido and several co-workers have contributed a number of volunteer hours working on behalf of her friend. She plans to be pounding a hammer along with other family members and women volunteers as they erect parts of Farley’s house in early May. The 2005 Sea Island Habitat for Humanity
Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487 $25 per person in advance,
Friday, April 8, 2005
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