Jul 10, 2008 8:37 pm US/Eastern
50 Years, 50 Families: Pam Cantwell
NORTH SIDE (KDKA) ―
Most people get used to life the way it is - never striving for something better.
But Pam Cantwell, this week's recipient of the "50 Years, 50 Families" program, had a dream and reached it.
Cantwell, her husband Wayne and sons Carlos and Maurice have been saving for years, putting every penny into their new house. They close next Friday on their North Side home.
The Cantwells live at Northview Heights, a public housing project on the North Side. Pam has lived in public housing her whole life and has dreamed of owning her own place for many reasons, including financial security and physical security.
"For many families who are poor and live in public housing, you think it's something you can never accomplish. But there are programs out there and great people," Cantwell said.
Pam says she's making a better life for her kids with the help of people in the community and her real estate agent, Harriet Koedel, who nominated Pam.
"I think it's going to show the boys that you don't have to accept the status quo. You can be better than what you are and always reach for the stars," Koedel said.
The family doesn't have much to fill the empty rooms now, but with the help of Roomful Express, they're getting $3,000 worth of furniture in the 50 Years, 50 Families program.
Pam says when her oldest son, Maurice, who's in the Marines gets to come home, this time he can really call it home.
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