At 70, Pastor Who Helps Community Becomes Homeowner

At the age of 70, a widow and mother of 14 is a first time homeowner.

Pastor Rosalind Brooks and five of her adopted children dedicated their new home in the 2700 block of B Avenue in Bristol Township’s Levittown section Friday evening. The home was constructed by volunteers at Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County.

Brooks, a widow, has opened her doors to adopted children and is a pastor at New Vision in Christ Worship Center, which provides help to families throughout the region.

“This is such a joy. It’s a dream,” Brooks told reporters.

After living in a rental in Bristol, Brooks and her children living with her – David, Abraham, Saniyah, Tabitha, and Tiana – will be moving in the new home in the coming days. The home features several bedrooms, a spacious kitchen and a yard large enough for all the children.

“Welcoming a family into their new home is the very best part of our mission,” says Florence Kawoczka, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County. “We congratulate this family and celebrate their achievement of the dream of homeownership.”

While families receiving help from Habitat of Humanity have to put 200 hours of work into their new home, Brooks put in 300 hours of sweat equity into the construction of their home, said Neil McKeon, the director of Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County’s board.

“I wish her the best, and welcome her to the neighborhood,” neighbor John McClay said before he toured the new home.

Kawoczka said volunteers from Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County are currently working on a home in Morrisville and one in Quakertown. She added that at least five family homes in Bristol Township will receive some updates this year as well.

The B Avenue home was built with the help of Bank of America, KeyBank, Santander Bank, Wells Fargo, ADP, BB&T, Dominion, The Leff Family Foundation, Penn Community Bank, Sykes Enterprises, Inc.,. Procter & Gamble, Quilts for Kids and St. Peter Lutheran Church of Hilltown.