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Navy veteran gifted mortgage-free home in Egg Harbor Township
Lauren Carroll
Myra Williams, 36, cuts a ribbon on her mortgage-free home in Egg Harbor Township on Monday. Williams, who served in the U.S. Navy, was gifted the home through a program with JPMorgan Chase and the nonprofit St. Bernard Project.
Williams, 36, Cory Williams, 37, and 7-year-old daughter Corynn tour their new home on Fernwood Avenue on Monday.
LAUREN CARROLL Multimedia Reporter
Myra Williams, 36, hugs St Bernard Project New Jersey executive director Kevin McGee, before touring the recently renovated Egg Harbor Township home. Williams was awarded the home mortgage-free through a JPMorgan Chase program that benefits military and veteran families. (Oct. 29, 2018)
LAUREN CARROLL/Multimedia Reporter
Directors for JPMorgan Chase present the Williams family with a ceremonial key to their new Egg Harbor Township home. Myra Williams, 36, is a US Navy veteran and applied to a program that assists military and veteran families looking to become first-time home owners. (Oct. 29, 2018)
US Navy veteran and registered nurse Myra Williams, 36, cuts the ceremonial ribbon on her family's new home. William's applied to a program that awards mortgage-free homes to veterans looking to become first-time home owners. (Oct. 29, 2018)
JPMorgan Chase Market Director Monica Nation gives Myra Williams and her 7-year-old daughter Corynn Williams a tour of their newly renovated home. (Oct. 29, 2018)
Directors with JPMorgan Chase and St. Bernard Project New Jersey present Myra Williams, 36, and her family with a ceremonial key to their new home in Egg Harbor Township. Williams, a US Navy veteran, was awarded the home mortgage-free through the bank's military and veterans home owner's program. (Oct. 29, 2018)
A welcome home sign on the garage of Myra Williams' new home in Egg Harbor Township.
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — Myra Williams wiped a tear from her eye, realizing she was about to be handed the keys to her first home.
Williams, a 36-year-old U.S. Navy veteran and registered nurse, became a first-time homeowner Monday, thanks to a partnership between nonprofit St. Bernard Project New Jersey and JPMorgan & Co.
"This is not a gift," said Kevin McGee, St. Bernard Project, executive director. "You have earned this through your service to our country."
Williams, along with her husband, Cory, and 7-year-old daughter Corynn, walked through the renovated two-story, three-bedroom home on Fernwood Avenue, which they will soon move in to.
She said the whole experience was surreal.
"I'm signed up with the affordable housing alliance. They sent me an email regarding this home," she said.
Williams' family was living in a one-bedroom apartment in Neptune City.
She explained that growing up, she lived with her grandmother and several family members, often sharing rooms.
"I thought, let me just try it. I did all the paperwork, I met the qualifications, but I still thought, 'Oh, well, it's not going to happen.' But my daughter kept telling me, 'You never know' and not to give up," Williams said.
The Williams family was chosen from several applicants based on specific criteria set by St. Bernard Project, including confirmed military service, first-time home buyer status and financial eligibility.
Williams served in the U.S. Navy for four years, attaining the rank of Aviation Ordnance Airman. She was honorably discharged in 2008, then went back to school to become a nurse.
After being selected, Williams said she and her daughter were able to come to the project home during the renovations, joining with the volunteers painting rooms and clearing the yard. One room, which was painted a vibrant magenta, will be Corynn's.
"It's like we also helped out to bring this home together," Williams said. "This is really a blessing for my daughter — to have her own room and a yard."
In 2011, JPMorgan created a program with the goal to give 1,000 mortgage-free homes to military and veteran families, said Michael Cherny, regional managing director.
"What we're excited about today specifically, is the partnership with the St Bernard Project and giving this house to Ms. Williams and her family," Cherny said.
"Today was the best day of my life," Williams said.
Contact: 609-272-7286 LCarroll@pressofac.com Twitter @ACPress_LC
Joined the Press in November 2016. Graduate of Quinnipiac University. Previously worked as a freelance reporter in suburban Philadelphia and news/talk radio producer.
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