Two C. Oregon families get start on their dreams

Two local non-profits are helping two Central Oregon families with a dream come true: owning their own home. NewsChannel 21 was there at ceremonies helping to honor them Thursday — one a dedication, the other a wall-raising.

The Collins family has lived in Bend for the past seven years. And in all that time, they have been looking to own a home. But their finances wouldn’t allow it.

A family pastor blessed a new home Thursday, and for the Collins family, it’s a home of a lifetime.

“They needed to have something that was stable and affordable for their income,” said Robin Cooper, Bend Area Habitat for Humanity manager.

For seven years, Rick, Lynelle and their four children have needed a home.

“As a family that just came from nearly nothing to where we are now is phenomenal,” Rick Collins told the assembled crowd. “It’s a blessing. I can’t thank you guys enough.”

It was the 101st such celebration for Bend’s Habitat for Humanity chapter.

“They’ve got their own home and their place to just rest and be a family,” said Cooper. “But then they have this monthly payment that stays the same for 20 to 25 years and keeps their family going.”

In Redmond, another ceremony tool place, helping to keep a Central Oregon family on their feet in a combined effort by the non-profit group First Story, the YouthBuild program and Hayden Homes.

“It takes everybody working together to make these dreams come true,” said Laura Handy with the Heart of Oregon Corps. “Both our young people and for the family moving into the house.”

At-risk youth raised the walls for a home that the Borden family plans to move into.

“We can give back to the community doing just like this right here — we get to build houses,” Michael Jones, a YouthBuild student. “We get to give it away to a family. It feels pretty good.”

The Collins family feels pretty good, too, about moving into their new home.

“It’s a dream come true,” Lynelle Collins said. “I woke up this morning with happy tears. It’s been a lot of sweat and hard work, but it’s a dream come true today.”

This home is the 101st home built and renovated by Habitat, a global organization that uses sweat equity, volunteers and donations to help people become homeowners.

Families buy homes from Habitat with a zero interest loan and the mortgage payment is less than what they have been paying in rent.

Learn more about the programs at http://www.bendhabitat.org/ and http://www.heartoforegon.org/youthbuild.htm