Habitat For Humanity Dedicates 27th Home
 Shamika Mungin and her son, Camryn, cut the cake at Saturday's dedication ceremony. |
Just a few years ago, Mungin and her 6-year-old son were living in subsidized housing and she wanted a home of her own. But she wasn't quite sure how.
She enrolled in Berkshire Community College — and is now a licensed phlebotomist — and began taking the homeowner classes through the Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity.
In what state Sen. Benjamin Downing said is the part of the story that makes him "well up with pride," Mungin's boss, Ken Singer at Berkshire County Arc, switched her schedule so she could finish the financial literacy and home-owning classes.
Then she spent weekends building three other homes with Habitat for Humanity until it was her turn. On Saturday, Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity dedicated a home on Goodman Lane where Mungin will live.
"This is a perfect example of a lot of community work," said Habitat President Lou Coelho.
From contractors to donors to volunteers, building the home took a lot of effort — support Mungin never thought she would have.
"At one time I thought it was just me. Just me, me, me doing for him and trying to set goals for myself. By the way, I've accomplished all of my goals. But the support — I've met a lot of different people — is amazing. I really appreciate it," Mungin said.
State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier was one of those who helped build the two-bedroom home. The Pittsfield representative spent one day during the Women Build month building the porches and some interior work.
"That was such a great experience," Farley-Bouvier, getting a roar of applause from other women who participated when she mentioned using the chop saw.
She said Habitat for Humanity "is the best of our community." Nearly 50 organizations partnered in some way — either through supplies or expertise or spending time actually building the home — to make it possible.
Those efforts earned them a big "thank you" for 6-year-old Camryn, who took to the ceremony microphone.
Camryn was the recipient of a special gift on Saturday, too. A basketball fan and player, Camryn joined the Rev. James Lumsden of First Church in unveiling a basketball hoop in the back yard.
While many people and organizations may have been there to help, Peg Samsel says Mungin accomplished a lot. Samsel worked with Mungin through all of the programs. In just a few short years, Mungin truly changed her life by going back to school, taking the homeowner classes and putting in the "sweat equity" to qualify for the new home.
"It is really awesome to see somebody pull together to create a new life," she said.
It was years ago when Mungin got the visions of holding a barbecue in her back yard with friends and family so Samsel bought her equipment to do so. But that wasn't the only gift for Mungin. In an Italian tradition, Mayor Daniel Bianchi joined Farley-Bouvier in giving her bread so the family "never goes hungry" and wine so they "never get thirsty."
Mungin helped build the last three Habitat for Humanity homes, including that of Bonnie Hayden. While Hayden was unable to help build Mungin's home, she took over organizing Saturday's dedication ceremony.
Theresa Smith, of the Victory Temple Church of God in Christ, blessed the home. Project Manager Ron Marcella and Habitat for Humanity's Executive Director Carolyn Valli also spoke. The home is the 27th the organization has built.
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