Worth the Wait

Photo 1: Ben Poole at his job.
Poole has worked at Serios' Feed and Seed for 17 years.

Photo 2: Ben Poole's new home in Bossier City.
Ben Poole's new home in Bossier City.

Photo 3: Ben Poole surrounded by his friends and family.
Poole and his family receive the keys to their new home and celebrate with his employer, Louis Serio.

When Ben Poole's wife died of cancer in 2003, he faced the daunting task of raising nine children by himself. Poole refused to split his family up and provided for them by working at Serios' Feed & Seed in Bossier City. Although family and friends helped him out, significant sacrifices were made in order to keep the family together. Poole made do with no car and his family lived in a small three-bedroom, one-bath rent house. Four children shared one bedroom while five shared another; several children had to sleep on the floor. That all changed recently when Poole received the keys to his new five-bedroom, two-bath home in Bossier City.

Poole's path to homeownership was made possible by Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Louisiana. At the suggestion of his employer, Poole applied for assistance from Habitat in 2006. He learned that those who receive houses through the program must qualify for a loan and be able to pay it back. They must also invest their share of sweat equity in the project. Poole had a steady job - he has been with the same employer for 17 years. He was also willing to work the hours needed in order to meet his sweat equity requirements so he signed up for the program.

After a three year wait, Poole learned that construction on his home would begin in March. He worked Saturdays and Sundays in order to meet the sweat equity requirements. As members of the community learned of his plight, assistance came from many unexpected sources. Bossier High School provided sod for his lawn, Summergrove United Methodist Church stocked the kitchen with food and condiments, St. Jude's Catholic Church partnered with Habitat and helped raise $10,000 for the home's construction, and a $7,000 down payment was received from Red River Bank.

On a recent rainy Wednesday morning, Poole received the keys to his new home. He fought back tears as he thanked those who helped him achieve his dream of homeownership. Although Poole had to wait three years from the time he applied for assistance to Habitat, he will tell you homeownership is worth the wait. And according to his daughter, Kadieja, 'It already feels like home.'
 
Content Archived: July 18, 2011