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A Hand in Housing
posted (July 30, 2014)

Today, Hand in Hand Ministries with the help of BEL, blessed and donated its 243 house. We spoke to the happy recipient Bernadine Lauriano at the handing over ceremony:

Diana Foreman, Co-Chair BEL Social Club Committee

"BEL under the guidance of the Hand in Hand Ministries got its employees to volunteer to provide the labor and the company sponsored the materials and alongside contracted services to build a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom facility, 3 block height elevated structure, wooden with zinc roofing and louvers at the cost of approximately 18,000 dollars. The house also comes with a free service entrance because at the end of the day we know that family was not in a position to provide that for themselves."

Bernard Panton, Director Hand in Hand Ministries

"This program is a holistic approach that we use. On every first Saturday of every month we have meetings with people who partner with us; it's mandatory they attend if they are to get a house from us, and Ms. Bernadine has been attending for the past 3 years. She didn't realize she had to apply for a house to get a house, so one day she came and asked Mr. P when will I get my house and I told her she needs to apply; We stepped her through that process and it took about a year after that."

Bernadine Lauriano, Recipient of the House

"I really needed it because my home is very old and I never wanted the home to fall and anybody to die or get hurt, so I went to ask for assistance."

Robin Schaffer

"So could you describe the state of the house before?"

Bernadine Lauriano

"Most of the windows are nailed down because they are gone, the house is leaning over, it's leaking badly and it's very old. I will say I feel very happy for Hand in Hand, BEL and my boss Mr. Joe Lawrence because he gave me all the time off when the house was being built; so thanks and God bless."

Hand in Hand Ministries has been building houses for the marginalized since 2003, and BEL partnered with them as of last year. Eligibility persons must be homeless, elderly, or single parents making less than 1000 dollars per month, and who already own land where a house can be built.

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