A New Beginning: Catholic Charities Blesses Home for Florence-Affected Family
On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, a stretch of Lebanon Church Road in Clarendon, North Carolina, came alive with emotion as staff from Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh, volunteers, and community members gathered to celebrate the Ward family’s long-awaited return home. After years of hardship caused by Hurricane Florence, the family’s new house was formally blessed in a heartfelt ceremony filled with prayers, tears, and joy.
Jennifer and Koty Ward, along with their two children, were displaced for years after the 2018 hurricane severely damaged their home. In the aftermath, the family was forced to live in unsafe, mold-infested conditions, navigating not only physical instability but emotional uncertainty. That all changed in September 2024 when Catholic Charities made a commitment to rebuild their home and restore their hope.
Reflecting on the journey, Jennifer shared that Catholic Charities had “made a dream come true,” adding, “this is proof that God will make a way. If it is His plan, He will.”
The project was the result of a collective effort that brought together volunteers and partners from across the country. Over the past eight months, dozens of volunteers rolled up their sleeves, laying foundations, raising walls, installing siding, and painting trim. Groups such as Mennonite Disaster Relief, AmeriCorps NCCC, a Methodist team from Hickory, North Carolina who worked through the snow, and students from Dauphin County Technical School in Pennsylvania each contributed their time, energy, and craftsmanship to make the home a reality.
As the blessing began, Catholic Charities staff, volunteers, and neighbors gathered in the front yard, with Brian King, Construction Manager, and Vickie Sasser, Disaster Specialist, providing a welcome for the group. Reverend G. Fernando Meléndez, Pastor at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Whiteville, led the house blessing, which included a portion on the front porch for the group, with a reading by Daniel Altenau, Director of Disaster Services. Fr. Meléndez then walked through the house, blessing each room. The ceremony concluded with Jim Brewer, Home Repair Specialist, passing the keys to the family and a brief thank you by Koty to everyone who had gathered there.
“We have volunteer labor that come from all across the country and they give us three to five days of labor,” said Vickie Sasser, “We even had the walls going up on this new home in the snow and we are grateful to all of the teams who made this possible.”
Brian King reflected on the deeper impact of the project. “I am very excited today. This is life-changing for the family, especially the kids,” he said. “Getting to see those facial expressions when they walked in the house earlier was very, very touching. That is what we do the job for, that is the biggest payment we can get.”
The Ward home is now filled with sunlight, laughter, and possibilities. The children eagerly explored their new bedrooms, which Catholic Charities staff had set up specially to reflect their individual interests. Bella’s room featured cow-print decorations and animal-themed artwork, while Aiden’s room carried a baseball theme.
The blessing ceremony not only celebrated the Ward family’s resilience, but also served as a testament to the broader mission of Catholic Charities: to provide help and create hope. The agency has been active in long-term recovery efforts across eastern North Carolina following multiple major storms, offering disaster relief, case management, and housing repair services to families like the Wards.
As the event concluded, hugs and heartfelt thanks were exchanged. For the Ward family, this was more than a home blessing. It was a new beginning.
