[sws_picture_frame7 src=”http://bloomfield-garfield.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/community-members-barb-murphy.png” title=”” alt=”Barb Murphy” align=”sws_frame_left” lightbox=”” album=”album” video=””] [/sws_picture_frame7]

Since 2002, the BGC has partnered with Garfield Jubilee Association (GJA), a Christian-based, non-profit, community development organization that offers programs and activities to benefit and stabilize the welfare of low-to-moderate income families. Together, BGC and GJA have built and sold 44 new, affordable homes in the neighborhood. Even better, not one of those homes has gone into foreclosure. “New homes are changing the community in a positive way,” says GJA’s housing specialist Barb Murphy. Through GJA’s homebuyer education and counseling sessions, prospective homeowners receive one-on-one counseling to restore their credit and plan budgets so that they can realize the American dream of homeownership. “They learn everything they need to be successful,” Murphy notes. “And they can keep coming back to us if they run into problems.” BGC and GJA will build four more houses in 2012.