Volunteers From Long Island’s 35 High Schools Will Raise Walls of New Habitat for Humanity Home for Haitian-American Family In East Patchogue
January 22, 2010
(East Patchogue, N.Y.)-The American dream means much more to the Jean-Francois family today than it did only a week ago. While excited that the walls will be raised on their new home in East Patchogue today, they are praying for the safe arrival of their two children, caught in the devastating earthquake that rocked Haiti last week. This student-build will begin at 9 a.m. with the first wall raised by 9:30 a.m. at the Corner of Brookhaven Ave & Scherger Ave., East Patchogue. (See Map)
This build is all about children as 35 high schools throughout Long Island will raise more than $80,000 to construct the home that means a new life for Monique and Joseph Jean-Francois and their daughter Saada-Manou (8 months [PHOTO LEFT]) and sons, Jeff, 24, and Angy, 10, who is in the process of being adopted by the family. The baby is living with her parents, the boys were found safe after the earthquake and have been living outside with other family members. “We pray that the children will be reunited with the family as soon as possible,” said Les Scheinfeld, Associate Director of Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk.
The work site is the first LEED construction built by Habitat Suffolk, Scheinfeld explained. Students from Shelter Island will participate in todays wall-raising. The school raised the most money so far this year and was honored with the privilege to participate in the wall-raising. Students from throughout Long Island will work on the house until it is completed. LEED for Homes is a rating system that promotes the design and construction of high-performance green homes. Green homes use less energy, water and natural resources, create less waste, and are more durable and comfortable for occupants.
Monique and Joseph Francois [PHOTO LEFT] are hard working parents. Monique is a nursing assistant in Melville, and Joseph is a home health aide in Bay Shore. Monique, Joseph, and Saada-Manou currently live in a cramped and out dated one bedroom apartment. There is very poor air quality and nowhere for Saada-Manou to play or for Jeff and Angy to live and study. The Francois family applied for homeownership in September 2009 and will begin sweat equity today.
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 138 families. For more information, visit www.habitatsuffolk.org
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