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Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette Logo Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette

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Habitat for Humanity house now Spence family’s home

SNOW HILL – Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County, Inc. welcomed its 17th partner family during a dedication ceremony on June 18 in Snow Hill. The new homeowner, Jessica Spence, thanked Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County, her pastor, and family who helped her to achieve her goal of homeownership.
“I just kept thinking… when, when, when, would this [homeownership] happen for me? Then it happened and I really felt like I was doing something. This is for me but, it’s really for my kids,” said Spence who is a Snow Hill native and works within the community as a home healthcare aide.
“My kids love their new house; they love their rooms. My girls love the kitchen because it’s big enough they can spin around like ballerinas,” Spence said.
Members of the Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County board of directors, executive director, and Worcester County Commissioner Judy Boggs attended the dedication in support of the Spence family. Following a blessing of the home, Spence and Commissioner Boggs cut the ribbon that hung across the front porch entry, concluding the dedication of the Habitat home to the Spence family.
Spence purchased the home from Habitat with a zero percent interest loan, and the monthly mortgage payments will go toward future affiliate projects. As part of the Habitat requirement, Spence also completed a homeownership education course.
The Spence family, as with all Habitat families, is in the process of performing hundreds of hours of “sweat equity.” These hours help to facilitate Habitat’s needs in an economical way, foster a sense of volunteer activism, and ensure that families play a vital role in furthering Habitat’s mission.
“We are so pleased to welcome Ms. Spence and her children into the Habitat family. From the beginning of the process, Ms. Spence has been so enthusiastic,” said Andrea Bowland, Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County’s executive director. “Her determination and desire to become a homeowner to better the lives of her children is what Habitat’s mission is all about. Reflecting on the process of becoming a homeowner, Ms. Spence would encourage others to contact Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County. “The process is long but it’s worth it. You are not only gaining a home, you’re gaining knowledge.”
Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County, Inc. is  seeking new homeowners, existing homeowners for critical repairs and rehabs, and volunteers and sponsors as part of its 20th anniversary annual appeal campaign, “20 Families in 20 Years.” The next project slated is a critical repair on a home in Berlin.
Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County, Inc. is a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, and is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County, Inc. serves those who earn between 30 and 60 percent of the median income for Worcester County, through a combination of builds from the ground up for new homeowners and critical repairs and rehabs for existing homeowners.  
For more information on becoming a volunteer, sponsor, or partner family, visit  www.habitatworcester.org.