For hard working mother in Bay Shore

(Bay Shore, N.Y.) A Brentwood family will be getting a new lease on life this spring when they move from their  $2,000 a month rental into a newly renovated historic house in Bay Shore.  The mother, Maggie Williams has been working 80 hours a week at two jobs for the last three years to pay for a rental house in Brentwood.

Williams, who works one job as a counselor for Catholic Charities, said the Habitat home will give her the opportunity to spend some time with her children in a healthy living environment.  “We will finally have a home of our own and I will have time for my children,” said the elated Williams.  She learned of the program from her sister who also worked for and received a Habitat for Humanity home, according to Les Scheinfeld, Associate Director of Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk.

Habitat Suffolk began renovating the home on Second Avenue in Bay Shore last year.  It was originally built in the 1800’s, according to Scheinfeld.  The property was transferred by the Town of Islip’s Community Development Agency to Habitat Suffolk in 2008.

The Ann Allen Centrino Foundation and her family along with Duralee Fabrics of Bay Shore provided the sponsorship funds for the renovation which is expected to be completed this spring. Habitat volunteers gutted the house to prepare it for the renovation which will include a new porch and red brick chimney. Artie Cornacchio, Mrs. Centrino’s son-in-law is a contractor who will complete major work on the exterior walls and roof with the help of Habitat volunteers and Habitat construction staffers.

Williams said that she expects a smooth transition into the home this spring because it appears her sons, Chalil (15) and Javone (9), will not have to change school districts or move away from friends and most importantly, her mortgage payment will be less than half of her current rent.  She said she prays that the lower monthly payment will enable her to lighten her workload.

About Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk
Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk is a nonprofit Christian housing ministry dedicated to building decent, affordable housing in partnership with low-income working families in Suffolk County.  Since 1987, Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk has helped to house 145 families.  For more information, visit www.habitatsuffolk.org