'I know God will bless you'

Currently, Charlene Wisniewski’s 13-year-old daughter Chantel has a two-hour bus ride to school. Because Chantel has special needs, only one school in the area is appropriate for her. So among many other reasons, Charlene is happy that her new Habitat house, built in partnership with Grand Traverse Habitat for Humanity in Traverse City, Mich., will be closer to Chantel’s school.

Charlene Wisniewski will move her four children into a new Habitat house after the conclusion of the Jimmy Carter Work Project.

The house will be closer to town in general. Currently Charlene rents an apartment several miles into the country; it’s the best she can afford on her hairdresser’s salary. It is not ideal for her family, which, in addition to Chantel, consists of her sons T.J., 18, and Corbin and Clayton, 7-year-old twins.

“My father was a minister,” Charlene shares, “so I’m used to giving. It’s so rewarding. It’s interesting to be on the other side of it now.”

In speaking to those who give to Habitat, Charlene says, “If you choose to volunteer or donate or help in any way, I know God will bless you as he has blessed me.”