Habitat for Humanity helps Trenton family move into their first home
By: Marisa Maldonado
EAST WINDSOR Playing in the snow outside their old apartment building wasn’t an option for Briana and Aikhiem Lewis.
Their former neighborhood, which their mother described as "the projects," generally gets more recognition for its high crime rate than for quality family living.
Precious Lewis remembers the day she realized she had to get her family out of that Trenton neighborhood Sept. 23, when a neighbor of the family’s was stabbed and almost died. She and her husband, Deon, packed up their three children and fled to temporary housing in the city.
But thanks to Habitat for Humanity’s Millstone Basin chapter, the family, which also includes 10-month-old Deon Jr., will move into their first house in January. The 1,100-square-foot one-story building is twice the size of their current apartment.
"I’m glad I wrote to this program because it’s a blessing to me and my family," Ms. Lewis said. "I thank God every day."
The Lewis family was one of dozens of families who applied to buy Habitat Millstone’s sixth house on Evan Drive in East Windsor. Habitat has built five other houses for families on that land, after the organization bought land from developer Centex.
The Lewises’ new neighbors are a drastic contrast from the characters that populated their former neighborhood.
Ms. Lewis can tell the Bloods from the Crips the former wear red bandanas, while the Crips prefer blue. Even though Ms. Lewis doesn’t know any gang members personally nor does she care to the lives of 10-year-old Briana and 8-year-old Aikhiem have been affected by the gangs just the same.
"They’re uncomfortable they can’t go outside and play," said Ms. Lewis. "I’m afraid to let them come outside because it’s not safe."
Attending the schools of the East Windsor Regional School District and being surrounded by friendly neighbors will give her children a healthier environment, Ms. Lewis said. The other Habitat families have turned the one-street development into a community, as she discovered when they came out to offer her congratulations on the family’s new home almost immediately after work started.
"They were real friendly they came over and talked to us," she said.
The Lewises have had ample time to get to know their neighbors their future home has been in the works for almost two years.
Each Habitat family must contribute 350 hours of what is called "sweat equity," during which they contribute to the house’s construction. In exchange, families such as the Lewises receive a home with an interest-free mortgage to be paid over 15 years in installments of several hundred dollars each month.
"Habitat for Humanity doesn’t give somebody a home," said Laura Reebe, chairwoman of Habitat’s family selection committee. "They have to be able to pay for the home."
Both Mr. and Ms. Lewis work in Trenton Mr. Lewis works in human resources at the state Department of Treasury and Ms. Lewis has a job with a child- care facility. The move will add an extra 20 minutes to their daily commute, but both agree their new house is worth the cost of gasoline.
The family will get a fresh start with their new house they don’t even plan to take anything from their transitional housing.
"We’re going with only the clothes on our back," Mr. Lewis said.
"Even if we have to sleep on the floor," his wife added.
Fortunately, donors such as Whirlpool and Johnson & Johnson will provide appliances, furniture and other necessities. One of the first things Ms. Lewis will do in the new house is fill the refrigerator and cabinets with food and cook a late Thanksgiving dinner for her family.
"We went to my mom’s house and ate (on the holiday)," Ms. Lewis said. "But it ain’t nothing like your own."
Ms. Lewis said she likes to cook five days a week but cannot do so without a full kitchen. The family has eaten mostly fast-food since moving into transitional housing, and Ms. Lewis said she and her husband plan to eat more nutritious food once they have their own kitchen to take off the extra pounds they’ve gained since moving into their temporary home.
"That’s my resolution this year," Ms. Lewis said. "Not to lose 100 pounds, but to feel comfortable with myself."
She also will feel more comfortable with letting her children play outside in the snow.
As she pointed out the four bedrooms in the house one for Mr. and Ms. Lewis to share and three more for each of their children volunteers crunched through the fresh coat of snow outside, bringing in supplies.
After their work is done, smaller feet will tread through the snow.

