Habitat For Humanity Dedicates 83rd House

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – A caring heart. Desire to make a life better. A sense of humor. These are the three ingredients needed to make a Habitat Home a reality according to Volunteer House Captain, Celeste Bloomer.

All three pieces were securely in place for Nilda Rodriguez, the most recent Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh home owner, who officially received her keys in a Dedication held Saturday afternoon outside of her 24 South Miller Street home in the City of Newburgh. The newest addition to the South Miller locale will join five other Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh Homes on the street, making Rodriguez “feel safe” among kindred spirits. During the building-rehabilitation process, she got to know many of those Habitat neighbors and was genuinely impressed by their warmth and hospitality, further raising her excitement about joining this community.

Brimming with love for her two children, Alexander,18 and Ariana, 10, the single mom, a full-time nurse, managed to find the required 250 “sweat hours,” all on Saturdays for a year, making her home ownership dream come true. Sweetening that dream a little more is the fact that Nilda’s home has the added distinction of “Women Build #7.” Led by a workforce of over 75 percent female volunteers, Women Build homes are a reflection of the diligent fundraising and construction efforts of a committed female community. Although appreciative to and proud of the women for all they did bringing her home to life, Rodriguez is forever grateful for the relentless passion and hard work displayed by the entire Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh organization.

“The best part of this whole journey was the people I worked with, all of the volunteers, who had one goal in mind, building this house,” reflected Rodriguez.

One of those volunteers was Family Advocate Rita Ponessa, who along with Randy Heidemann, supported and educated Rodriguez through the entire home ownership process.
“We were very impressed by her intelligence and genuine desire to make a better life for her children,” said Ponessa.

Ironically, Rodriguez did not qualify on her initial attempt to secure a Habitat Home opportunity. However, all that soon changed when the committee started to get to know more about this very determined, loving, and hard-working single mother.

“”There was just something about her that we had to make this all happen,” said Cathy Collins, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh. “She is a very strong woman who truly represents what Habitat is all about; I love all dedications, especially Women Build ones, and this one is extra special because of the family.”

Also speaking at Saturday’s Dedication was Maureen Crush, Women Build Committee Chair.
“This is a home, not just a house,” said a smiling Crush. “So much effort and love went into this place; you can’t help but smile seeing it.”

Rodriguez, along with her two children were beaming Saturday afternoon. As a gorgeous fall day provided the backdrop to a well-deserved christening and new beginning, the articulate Rodriguez paused, trying to find the words to express the magnitude of the moment.

“I don’t know how to say thank you….except by saying my door is always open to each of you,” said Rodriguez. “It’s just such a great feeling to know I did something like this…something  that seemed almost impossible as a single mom.”

To learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newbugh and how you can become involved as a volunteer or become eligible to be a potential home owner, call them at: (845) 568-6035 or log on to: habitatnewburgh.org