Non-profit organization presents new home to family in need

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — After three weeks of searching, the Empowerment Opportunity Center has found a community member to stay in the refurbished home.

The non-profit organization in Decatur has been fixing a new home for a family without one to live in once it was finished. There are a number of factors of who would that go into who will be rewarded with a new home, but they focused on finding a veteran.

Christopher Morris and his daughter Christia heard the news they were selected two weeks ago and couldn’t believe it.

Christopher said he was laid off from his job. On top of that, he’s fighting for legal custody of his daughter.

He sought out help from the Salvation Army and was connected with the EOC. The organization placed Morris and his daughter in a hotel using an emergency housing voucher.

Christopher said it was his daughter who pushed him to keep fighting for a better life.

“It’s one thing to go through hardships as an adult, but when you have a child with you, it kind of makes it a more difficult set of circumstances,” he said. “And so it was important to me because it’s very important for it’s important to me for her to grow up in a stable environment.”

They found their home fully furnished with new appliances and a room filled with Welcome Home decor. The only thing Chris and his daughter needed to do before starting their journey was bringing in their clothes.

EOC representatives said everything including rent and other utilities will be covered for the family for up two years.

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