Home sweet home

Wendy James has come a long way.

Eight years ago she divorced an abusive husband and fell on hard times.

“When I left I lived in the domestic violence shelter for three months and I started from nothing,” she said.

On Saturday she broke ground for her first house. It was a gift from Habitat for Humanity and New Hanover Regional Medical Center, where she’s worked for the past twenty years.

“When we can help one of our own that’s just a wonderful thing to do,” said Jack Barto, NHRMC President.

The hospital contributed sixty thousand dollars to fund the project.

It’s also contributing the labor. Wendy’s colleagues will help build the house over the next few months.

“You look around [and] Wendy’s got two families. The family that she was raised with and the one she works with,” Barto said.

Wendy’s friend and co-worker Rochelle Britton says she admires Wendy’s determination. She’s happy to help.

“There’s not more of a person deserving of this home than Wendy,” Britton said. “They picked the perfect person.”

“I’m excited and just very blessed and happy,” said Wendy.

Wendy will live in the house with her four children. The house should be completed by mid-July.