Owning a Home – A Dream Come True for a Seattle, Washington Associate
By Cathy L. Miller
Tue 19 Feb 2008

I started working with Bank of America in April 2001 in the NW Tax Reporting Unit. It’s been 7 years and I still love my job and all of the associates with whom I have the pleasure of working each day. Bank of America is a wonderful company for which to work and nothing has validated this belief for me more than the support I received from the company in realizing one of my greatest dreams: owning my own home.

I always dreamed of owning a home though the dream always felt unattainable.
My outlook began to change the day I picked up a flyer from the Fremont Public Association which contained an advertisement of a series of classes sponsored by the United Way on how to become a home owner. In the class, I discovered that they would match my investment 3 to 1 up to $2,000 for a down payment toward the purchase of a home. I went to all the classes faithfully for the entire year and each payday I put what I could into a savings account.

After one year, I completed the class, received a completion certificate and felt ready to find my new home. Unfortunately, my initial efforts were discouraging because everywhere I looked, the prices were too high. I began to despair and started to believe that I was never going to be able to buy a home. Despite these feelings, I continued to save for the down payment and deep down, I continued to believe that I would eventually find the right home.

Once again, my hope was rewarded when I picked up a flyer advertising a meeting hosted by Habitat for Humanity.

My hopes were reignited when I went to the meeting and learned that I qualified but the process could take up to a year. A few months later, I was overjoyed when I received a call from Habitat informing me that I was accepted to receive a home at Patterson Park!

I could barely contain my excitement. I knew a lot of hard work was in front of me, but these concerns quickly diminished when compared to the prospect being an actual homeowner. Part of my arrangement with Habitat for Humanity required that I complete 500 hours of sweat equity. Making the arrangement even more agreeable was the condition that allowed 200 of those hours to be done by volunteers.

Fortunately, I had resources available to me where I could find some volunteer assistance. I contacted the Bank of America Volunteer Network and The First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue. Between Bank of America and my Church, I was able to find the manpower necessary for the 200 volunteer hours in no time at all.

I was deeply moved by the generosity and selflessness of everyone who volunteered. Seeing all these people volunteer to take time out of their busy lives in order to help build homes for myself and the other families was overwhelming. After these individuals had fulfilled their 200 hour commitment, they continued to assist me and the other Habitat recipient families. I was especially delighted to see my manager, Linda Roberson and some of my co-workers and their spouses participating in the effort.

All of these events made me appreciate my good fortune.

But this wasn’t even the best part.

I recently learned that Bank of America sponsored my home! I felt overwhelmed with joy and appreciation all over again. I am very proud that Bank of America cares about people and is always looking for ways to help them achieve their goals.

On February 9, 2008, with my friends and family at my side, Mike Olson, Northwest SFO Market President, presented me the keys to my home. After so many months of saving, searching and hoping, I had finally made my dream come true. I will be moving into my new home on March 1, 2008!

Thank You

Cathy L. Miller
Sr Operations Representative
Bank of America

It Takes a Community to Build a Home

The home that started as a wall-raising demonstration at the Fremont Fair last summer came to completion firmly on its foundation on February 9th, with the dedication of Jennifer Chapman’s house at Snoqualmie Ridge.

This house, jointly sponsored by United Way of King County, Solid Ground, and Google represents the community coming together to build a house. Each of these organizations donated time, volunteers, and funds to build this home.

True to their passion for the Seattle Seahawks, die-hard fans, Jennifer Chapman and her two children, Austin and Morgan, chose to make their home dedication ceremony a tail gate party complete with blue and green decorations and a hotdog potluck.

Jennifer was gracious and excited as her Dad and Step-Mom surprised her by coming all the way from Wyoming for the event. Just before the tail gate party started, another unannounced guest arrived to celebrate Jennifer’s new home-- Bobby Engram, Wide Receiver for the Seahawks!

Guests attending the home dedication ceremony got a sense of all the different groups that worked on the house, but most important they got to know Jennifer and her family. When Glenn and Carolyn Hall, Jennifer’s Family Advocates, officially handed the house keys to Jennifer and she pounded in the final nail, we were reminded how hard she has worked over the past year. Thanks to the sponsors and the hard work of the volunteers, construction staff and AmeriCorps members, Jennifer moved into her new home the day after her dedication!

New Partner Families

Family Services volunteers and staff have been working diligently to find qualified, deserving families in need of affordable housing in East King County. The Family Selection Committee held six information meetings in Eastside cities during January and collaborated with local social services and housing agencies to reach potential Habitat homeowners. The Family Selection Committee aspires to select a total of 12 partner families before April for two-, three- and four-bedroom homes in Snoqualmie and Redmond.

I am excited to welcome our two newest partner families into the Habitat for Humanity of East King County family!

The Fowler Family – Scott and Linda Fowler have deep roots in King and Snohomish Counties. Scott was born in Seattle and Linda’s relatives reside in Kirkland, Stanwood Everett and Mill Creek. The couple has two children, Ashley (7) and Joel (3). They are active in their church and make family time a priority.

Scott was diagnosed with a degenerative disease during his late teenage years. His daughter, Ashley, was also diagnosed with the hereditary condition. Although Scott is unable to work outside of the home, he spends his time caring for his children and playing “Mr. Mom” while his wife, Linda, works at a local daycare.

The Fowlers pay nearly 45 percent of their limited income toward rent. Due to the substandard structural condition of their rented home, Scott and Linda pay up to $400 per month to keep their living space at an inhabitable temperature.

Scott and Linda are determined to improve their living situation and their children’s futures. They will purchase a three-bedroom home in the final phase of our Patterson Park development.

The Ly/Pham Family – Kiet Ly immigrated to the United States from Vietnam in 1999. His parents had been living in the states for several years and Kiet’s father became an American citizen. In 2006, Kiet married Tho Pham and brought her to the United States.

When Kiet settled in Washington, he spoke no English. Recognizing the important of being fluent in our country’s language, he enrolled in English as a Second Language (ESL) courses. Once Kiet became fluent in English, he applied for United States citizenship and a competitive apprentice machinist program at Boeing. Kiet was selected out of 20,000 applicants to begin a four-year work-study program through Boeing. With successful completion of his training, Kiet will become a journeyman machinist.

Ly and Tho have one daughter, Annie. She is one year old and their pride and joy. Tho attends school and ESL courses in the evenings. She is working hard to learn English and is excited about her new opportunities in America. Kiet’s mother also lives with the family and helps care for her granddaughter.

Ly, Tho, Annie and Mai live in a one-bedroom apartment in Bellevue. Their crowded living space inhibits privacy and makes studying for Kiet and Tho difficult. The family looks forward to having a home of their own and growing roots in East King County. They will purchase a three-bedroom home in the final phase of our Patterson Park development.

--contributed by Emily Fortman, Family Services Manager