4622 Treichel St., Madison

The Teszena Charlene Fields Family
Started on: 06/13/07
Completed: 01/24/08
Sponsors: Associated Bank, Dave Jones Plumbing & Heating and Epic Systems

My name is Teszena Charlene Fields, but friends call me Charlie. I am a single mother with four children. I am hearing impaired and so are two of my children. My lifelong partner died a few years ago from a heart attack. My children are J.B., 10, Jerome, 8, Jarvis, 6 and Josephine, 3.

J.B. is my ears. He listens for the telephone and door for me. Jerome is hearing impaired and wears a hearing aide. My youngest son, Jarvis is shy and suffers from asthma. He gets very sick from the carpet in our house. JoJo is the youngest and my daughter. She is also hearing impaired. All of my children are learning to sign together so they can communicate with each other.

I am so happy and blessed to be part of Habitat for Humanity’s program. It will be nice to have a house where my kids can play safely and have a yard in the back.

A Heartfelt Thank You from the Fields Family (1/23/08)

I would like to thank GOD first of all for this wonderful blessing he has bestowed on Me and my family today. I would also like to thank Associated Bank, Epic Systems, Dave Jones & Heating. I will never forget the many wonderful volunteers who worked so hard to help Me and my family achieve a dream that I thought impossible. Thank you.

I would like to especially thank Lisa and all of the wonderful people at the Habitant for Humanity office for helping me and my family through this period with understanding, guidance and love. Yes, I did feel the love. I would not be here if it was not for all of you.

My heart and my soul can never express this feeling of gratitude and thanks to everyone involved with this blessing, only GOD truly knew my dreams for a home for my family. GOD delivered my dream through all of you. Thank You. Because of everyone here I now have a wonderful home for my children.

We are so grateful and excited too have a beautiful place to live. My children can now go outside and play and I don’t have to worry about anything bad happening to them. My youngest son will not suffer from the bad asthma attacks he got at our old place because of the dust and dirt in the basement.

I would like to also thank Sue the wonderful person who stood by me and signed the words I could not hear so I could fully understand all of the things that were happening around me. Sue, is not only a good interpreter but also someone I look at as a dear friend, thank you Sue.

May GOD bestow his blessings on each and every one of you for your hard work, your good deeds and dedication in helping others.

Thank you Habitant for Humanity for your vision and commitment to help families purchase homes who might not ever have an opportunity to have a house without your help.

The Fields Family with house sponsors Dave Jones of Dave Jones Plumbing & Heating and Gary Schaefer, regional chairman Associated Bank. Epic Systems in Verona is also a co-sponsor of the home.

The Fields Family pounds in the "first nail" of their future Habitat home at a kick off celebration on June 13.

Educators from Marquette Elementary School, where J.B. attends school, came out to support the family at the "First Nail" Ceremony.

Gary Schaefer, Associated Bank; Dave Jones, Dave Jones Plumbing & Heating; Brian Miller, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Dane County; Jim Wilson, Associated Bank; and Wendy Hansen, Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors, at the "First Nail" ceremony for the Fields Family.

Charlene Fields at her house blessing ceremony with a plague that was given to her family.

Charlene Fields and a family friend with the sponsors of her home and with HFHDC Board Member Wendy Hansen (left). Also pictured are Steve Hansen, Associated Bank, and Dave Jones of Dave Jones Plumbing & Heating. (far right)