“No matter how bumpy the road may get…I just keep on driving!” Those are the words of Taira Warren, 32 years young determined single mother of two. She is realizing the rewards of her faith, hard work, and determination as her dream of home ownership through Habitat for Humanity comes closer to reality.
On her own since she was seventeen, Taira awoke one morning two years ago with the ambition and drive to do something that no one thought she could do – relocate her family from the northwest to Texas in the quest for a better life. Having never been to North Texas or to McKinney, all she had was “the Internet, MapQuest, a dream, and the Lord.”
Even though she grew up in difficult circumstances, she excelled, going to the state finals in track three years and achieving a state championship. Taira graduated from high school with a 3.5 grade point average even though she was a teen mother. Her determination to better her life remained intact as she continued her education at a nearby state university.
Taira is the exceptional, enthusiastic mother of two sons. Anthony, age 16, is a student at McKinney High School. Eight-year-old Craig, a student at Webb Elementary, was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at age three. He didn’t start talking until he was four and hasn’t stopped since, according to his mom. The family attends First Baptist Church in McKinney.
Taira’s love for her family is evident in all that she does to provide a better future for them. To own a home where her boys can grow up in a safe and nurturing environment is her dream. Although Taira had never heard of Habitat for Humanity before moving to Texas, she loves being a part of the Habitat family and is thankful for the opportunity that has been provided for her to attain her goal of home ownership. Once her family was selected for a home, she has worked tirelessly to earn sweat equity hours. Her optimistic attitude and bubbly personality have endeared her to the Habitat family. Her faith and perseverance will keep her on course to accomplish her goal. Taira just “keeps on driving!”
To date, we have collected approximately $2,800 toward our goal of $7,500 so we have some work to do. We will continue to collect donations throughout the build process so that we can meet our financial obligation to Habitat for Humanity. In the Narthex, you will find “house banks” for collecting small change over the next few weeks which will add to our accumulated donations. Please, take one home and toss your loose change in the bank. You’ll be surprised how much you can accumulate and how little you will miss money contributed this way.
We will provide other opportunities to contribute going forward. The building of this home for Taira and her sons is a project which will take over three months and involve the efforts of many. We will keep the parish aware of the progress; so look for pictures and reports when you come to church. For more information, contact Bill Eckels
This year children, age 14 and older, are allowed to participate with their parents. Any children at the work site during lunches or other ceremonies and activities must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.
Contact: Bill Eckels or Brian Marr
There is more more to a home than simply a roof
over our head. Most of us associate our life,
our family and our hopes with our home. For
those who can choose where they live, the safety
of their family is something that we take for
granted. We make our choices on the basis of the best schools, recreation,
access to good roads and a host of other criteria.
But a great many people can never hope that
any of those decisions would be ever theirs.
For a single mom with children, the hope of
ever owning a home is not within the realm
of possibility.
Habitat for Humanity was started in 1976
by Millard and Linda Fuller in Americus, Georgia.
It is an international, ecumenical, Christian
organization dedicated to the dream of eliminating
poverty and homelessness. The Fullers discovered
the idea of helping needy families through
a social experiment developed on the Koinonia
Farm, a Christian farming community founded
in 1942. It was based on the idea that people
did not need a hand out, but capital and guidance
to get a new start. At the heart of the idea
was “The Fund for Humanity”.
What the poor need is not charity, but capital;
not caseworkers, but co-workers. What the
rich need is a wise, honorable and just way
of divesting themselves of their overabundance.
The Fund for Humanity met both of these needs.
Money for the fund comes from two sources.
Donations are given by those who feel they
have more than they need. The other is from
non-interest bearing loans, for those who
cannot afford to make a gift, but who do want
to provide working capital for the disinherited.
. . The fund does not give away any money.
It is not a handout.
Based on this philosophy Habitat for Humanity
has built or rehabilitated 150,000 houses.
In our community, Habitat is just getting
started. The North Collin County chapter of
Habitat for Humanity has now completed 21
homes and has plans for 5 more this year.
Each recipient of a new home is required to
pay for their house, with their own labor
(sweat equity) and monthly payments on a no
interest mortgage. Habitat houses are simple
and inexpensive, built with donated labor,
and in many cases, donated materials.
For more information, visit their website. 
