Life Produces Love - A Habitat Story of the Benford Family (Part 1)

Melanie Benford is a remarkable woman. Her story is similar to so many of us, where we work hard to earn the things we have in our lives. She has dealt with many of life’s challenges, including the grave illness of one of her children. However, she stands firm and ready to face this next chapter in her life with courage, faith and love.

I am very excited to be able to write about the Benford’s Habitat for Humanity home. Melanie is really thrilled to be able to be able to move back into an area where she has history. Her family will be one of the first to move into the new subdivision near East MLK. The groundbreaking for the new subdivision will occur on June 6, 2012.

Melanie spent a portion of her childhood living within a block of the new subdivision and wanted to be one of the first family’s to be able to move into the area. She moved from the area when she was 9 years old and historically it has been a bad neighborhood she said. This new subdivision is a way to revamp the area and be able to raise her own family near where she grew up as a child.

She became involved in Habitat for Humanity at age 20. She was pregnant with her second child but still managed to complete her last semester at college while interning at the school and working full time as well. One of the requirements to put in an application with Habitat is to be on a job for a full year. She completed that requirement and was able to apply for home ownership.

Now one and a half years later she and her family have gone through the twelve week program that prepares all prospective Habitat owners for home ownership. This is a dream come true for her and her family. She gets to help build her own home and will be able to raise her children near where she lived as a child.

A favorite quote of Melanie’s is: “Where there is life, there is love.” I admit I didn't look up the owner of this quote, but it certainly fits this situation. This subdivision, filled with life will flourish and the love of the people that live there will bring it back to life.

I invite you to join us on June 6, 2012 when we break ground and dedicate the subdivision. Please welcome Melanie and her family along with the others who will be proud owners of new homes and stay tuned as I chronicle this wonderful journey into home ownership for one Habitat family.


Kathie Hitt
Email: kathiehitt@yahoo.com
Our Website


For volunteer opportunities for Habitat, please contact:
Ryan Pierce
Director of Volunteer Experience and Communications
Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity
979.703.1895

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