CUMMING — One family in Forsyth County was able to enter their home recently knowing it is their own after helping to build it.

Habitat for Humanity-North Central Georgia held a dedication ceremony for the Fields family, whose house is on Hammond Drive in Cumming.

The home was built in partnership with volunteers from Habitat and Melinda Fields, whose family includes her mother, Jewel, and two daughters, Hayley, 19, and Briana, 12.

Fields, the sole income-earner in her family, has been a Forsyth County school system paraprofessional for the past 15 years.

She and her family have faced challenges over the years, and she said she has longed to provide a better home for them.

“This is truly a blessing for me and my family, and we are so thankful to finally have a home to call our own,” Fields said.

The family helped build their home as part of the Habitat program.

The nonprofit does not give its homes away. Instead, the Christian housing ministry builds affordable homes for purchase by low-income families who “demonstrate the capacity for responsible homeownership.”

Since opening its first door in 1995, the local chapter has competed 277 homes for an estimated 1,000 family members in Forsyth, Dawson, Cherokee and north Fulton counties.

Partner families earn 30-60 percent of the Atlanta area median income and buy their homes at or near appraised value with 30-year no-interest financing provided by Habitat.

They also are required to attend educational classes and perform 200-300 hours of “sweat equity” on the construction site.

“It was an honor to be a part of the dedication ceremony,” said Michelle Prater, Forsyth County Community Foundation CEO, “and to see first-hand how Habitat improves the lives of families in our community.”