Sunday was a day of sun and smiles for Muriel Austin and her daughters. A Habitat for Humanity home at 2 McKinley Ave., Batavia, is now their home.
After a brief welcome by Habitat CEO Jessica Maguire-Tomidy, and the gift of a mirror from Lauren Casey, president of the Habitat board, Austin played a recording of a song taken from a verse of the Quran that means "protection."
Austin has five children and four of them live with her (the oldest is an adult). They are LaMonika, Brooklyn, Antoinette and Khadija.
She thanked all the volunteers who helped her with her new home, noting how hard they worked, the expertise and skill many of them brought to the job and the support they offered throughout the process.
"I realized what Habitat is about," Austin said. "It's not about religion. It's not about color. It's not about anything like that. It's about family, community and making a difference, not only making a difference, but also getting people to push in a (better) direction."
Off topic comments deleted.
Off topic comments deleted.
There is no place for this
There is no place for this kind of hateful intolerance.
Muriel Austin and her family
Muriel Austin and her family look so happy. Congratulations on your new home. I hope it brings you days of laughter and smiles. This is wonderful news.
I really don't understand why
I really don't understand why some people have to take an upbeat, and uplifting story and tear it down with their snotty little brat like attitude.
Really people, get a life. It's not all about you and you trying to feel good about yourself.
Congrats to the Austin family and good luck with your new home.
Habitat serves the community
Habitat serves the community well. There are so many properties in the city that could use their touch. I'm personally exciting with their work going on at 11 South Spruce. I lived in that house from '54 til '58 (6 to10 years of age). I've been by the house many times since they started work, I seem to get more and more excited each time. I hope I have a chance to maybe go through it when it's done. They did the house at 13 South Spruce a few years ago, that also looks great! I support Habitat with a donation from time to time. To me, it's money well spent (invested).
It's selfishness and petty
It's selfishness and petty jealousy that makes people tear down stories like this as well as spread falsehoods about social programs like Snap and Tanf and so on these programs don't actually account for much of your tax dollar at all. Look to Corporate welfare and EDC's that waste 10x more of your tax dollar.
Since I moved here a few years ago, I have seen Habitat renovate at least 4 or 5 properties that now have tax paying families thriving in them. In the meantime the volunteers who work at these houses lear valuable trade skills that serve them AND the community very well. I wish the Austin Family well in their new house.
since this is Howard's online
since this is Howard's online news, he can censor me anytime he wishes. I thank Allah they don't live on my street.
That's funny, David, because
That's funny, David, because I'm pretty darn happy that YOU don't live on my street. I'm just not a big fan of bigotry and ignorance.
On the other hand, I'd be very pleased to have this gracious and hardworking family in my neighborhood. Congratulations, Austin Family! May you enjoy many years of happiness in your new home.
Another wonderful Habitat for Humanity success story.
Emma, a positive way to look
Emma, a positive way to look at things is that for the most part, people like david end up pushing good people to take that extra step and go personally welcome families like the Austin's tipping the scales more towards a positive community.
It amazes me there are still
It amazes me there are still hateful ignorant people out there....David Im sure Allah will bless you...
Habitat is definately a plus
Habitat is definately a plus in our community, that is the story.