(Lewiston, ID) The L-C Valley Habitat for Humanity would like to announce that it has finished and dedicated its 35th home this afternoon.
The new homeowner, Beni Welin, is a disabled single mother of 3 children who has overcome many obstacles while living outside of town. She will be gaining better access to her Lewiston support system and reducing her household food insecurity due to a strained budget from her long-distance commute. She is moving into the Habitat house from an apartment that had no heat and continuous plumbing issues.
Welin has obtained a college degree with presidential honors and now works a full-time job so she can provide for her family.
“I am just so grateful to bring my family closer to the community and open up connections that have been delayed due to commuting,” she said. She added that she’s looking forward to being able to better meet everyone in the family’s needs because two of her children are disabled.
“I’ve been working on putting in the lawn and I’m so appreciative and understanding of the hard work that went into building the house,” Welin said.
In her own words, “This home doesn’t just meet our needs. It also creates opportunities and provides a future that – quite frankly – I had never even dreamt of because it was so impossible to even imagine. I’m in such disbelief but have utter gratitude, that I am a homeowner. We can’t put into words how thankful we are but want to thank everyone on the Habitat team. We are blessed to be receiving this home.”
Habitat Board Chairman Caleb Carlyle said the board has enjoyed working with Welin to complete this most recent house build.
“There have been many obstacles due to the pandemic but we are thrilled as a board to have this house finished and be able to support this family with a zero-interest home,” he said. “Beni Welin and her family have been wonderful to work with and will be a great Habitat Partner into the future.”
The L-C Valley Habitat for Humanity builds homes, community and hope, according to local Habitat Executive Director Deb Snyder.
“We are grateful for our donors and volunteers that helped make this build possible,” Snyder concluded.
The Habitat for Humanity has trained and supervised volunteers who will soon be starting our 36th house in the L-C Valley. The organization sells these houses with zero or very low-interest mortgages to low and moderate-income families. LCV HFH is looking for partners and volunteers to join us in changing the lives of our local families. Please join the Habitat as a partner by, please calling the office at (509) 758-7396 or visit l-cvalleyhabitat.org/volunteer.