'Answered Prayers': NJ Mom Gives Kids New Beginning With Help Of New Home

CHERRY HILL, NJ — A New Jersey mom is getting a fresh take at homeownership with the help of Habitat for Humanity in Cherry Hill.

Corrine and her three sons, 13, 11, and 6, were able to tour their new single-story home on Tuesday after years in a small apartment.

"I hope my children take away that no matter what life throws at you or how many obstacles you have to overcome, you should never give up on your dreams," Corrine told Patch.

Through a serious illness that her youngest son faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, she lost her job due to the number of hospital visits she made to be by his side.

She then moved to a remote out-of-state insurance job, a role that gave her room to build herself and her family's future one step at a time.

Now, thanks to the work put in by volunteers and other community organizations, Corrine's boys will have a yard to play in and more spacious rooms as they get used to their new surroundings.

Through the journey, she saw struggles as quiet preparation for a long-awaited new opportunity to buy her own home.

"This home represents answered prayers and new beginnings," said Corrine.

Corrine applied to purchase the home after hearing about "Habitat" on social media.

After satisfying income requirements, she was chosen from a lottery and gave what the program calls "sweat equity," or the inclusion of homeowners physically working on the construction of their new space.

Applicants also must attend finance classes and homeowner courses as part of their eligibility.

This project was the result of 304 volunteers from local businesses, Cherry Hill Township, and Cherry Hill High School East putting in more than 2,020 hours of labor at the site.

"We're starting this new chapter surrounded by so much love and support," said Corrine, "It's the most welcomed and supported I've ever felt during a major life transition and it's something I will never forget. It has shown me what community and compassion really look like."

The new 1,107 square-foot home has three bedrooms, central heat and air conditioning, two full modern bathrooms, and a new kitchen that includes a refrigerator, dishwasher and stove, and a washer and dryer.

Cherry Hill Township provided the original property, adjacent land, and construction funds made possible by the Community Development Block Grant.

"I hope my journey shows others that it's okay to reach out for help, to keep working hard, and to hold on to faith even when it's difficult...I hope others can see that even during the hardest seasons, there is still reason to keep going and to believe that better days are possible," added Corrine.

Those looking to apply for future projects, including home repairs such as roof replacements, can do so through Habitat's website.

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