For Immediate Release
Monday, March 08, 2004
AFSCME Members Win "Welcome to Your First Home" Awards
WASHINGTON —Four NY members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Belen Medina, Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Local 836; James T. Darnowski, District Council (DC) 37 Local 2507; Brenda Gill, AFSCME DC 37 Local 375; Anna Lyuber, DC 37 Local 371, are the latest union members to learn first-hand that the AFSCME Advantage Mortgage program has its benefits. Not only did they enjoy a convenient and affordable loan when buying their first homes, but each also won a $500 gift certificate to be used at a United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW)-organized grocery store.
The four AFSCME members were among a dozen union members to recently win the $500 award. First-time buyers who close a program loan through this program are encouraged to submit a "Welcome to Your First Home" Award survey and become eligible for the monthly award.
For Medina, a secretary at Orange County Community College in Middletown, NY, homeownership, the AFSCME Advantage Mortgage program, and the $500 gift certificate, have all been great. "I read about the program in my union magazine, and I'm glad I did. Everything just fell into place for me. It was an easy process. I had heard nightmare stories about other loan programs, but that wasn't my experience. I would definitely recommend the program to other union members."
Darnowski, a paramedic who has been a union member for eight years, agrees with Medina. "The experience was great. The [AFSCME Advantage] program helped us out a lot. Everyone was very helpful." Darnowski and his wife not only are grateful for their new home in Bergenfield, NJ, they also were thrilled to receive the $500 gift certificate, which they used, in part, to splurge on a party for their son's second birthday.
Gill, who works for the Department of Environmental Protection, says that homeownership has its rewards. "It's been great. I especially enjoy having more space," says the mother of one. Gill adds that she would definitely recommend the AFSCME Advantage Mortgage program.
Also giving high marks to the program is Lyuber, a caseworker for the city of New York and active member of her union. Lyuber added that she was particularly happy to receive the gift certificate. "It was a nice surprise."
