At age 17, Paula was broke and out of answers, living in an abusive situation with her one and a half year old son Christopher. All she knew for sure was that she needed help, so she went to HUD to find a house...to no avail. The caseworker told her they weren't even putting people on a waiting list.

All hope seemed gone, but as she walked out the door, the caseworker came up to her and gave her a piece of paper with an address. She told Paula, "This is your only chance for help." That piece of paper led her to The Salvation Army and The Branch, a transitional living apartment center, in Decatur. When she arrived at The Branch, she said she would have "checked out" had it not been for her son. Paula and Christopher have lived at The Branch since. Paula has participated in the programs offered to return families to self-sufficient, productive lives. Two years later, she says this is her "true salvation".

Paula worked full-time at Wal-Mart where she was promoted to Customer Service Manager before taking a job as the secretary at the Salvation Army. She applied to HFHMC in May of 2002. She has already attended homeowner education classes and accrued the 50 hours of sweat equity required for groundbreaking. Her home was built with the help of First, St. Andrew, and Westminster Presbyterian churches.

Her son, Christopher, is a happy, outgoing four year old who is excited about moving into their new home--a place they will own, where they will thrive and grow together. "It still doesn't seem real," said Paula about her future home, "I get butterflies when I think about it--it makes me feel so happy!"