An extreme home makeover for one local family

HAZEL PARK, Mich. (WXYZ) - Sunday afternoon, the Fournier family’s lives changed forever.

A trailer was blocking the view a renovated house on West Shevlin in Hazel Park, as a white limousine carrying the family pulled up.

As they got out of limo, a crowd cheered them on.  Then, just like the ABC TV show Extreme Makeover, the crowd shouted, “Move that trailer.”

Tears instantly filled Vanessa Fournier’s eyes.   Her husband and daughters were blown away by the beauty of their new home.

“We’re excited we can give this to you. It’s a labor of love,” said a volunteer at Kensington Church.

The family had been living in Vanessa’s parent’s home. They have had a lot of financial struggles.  Kensington Church, Life Remodeled, and five hundred volunteers built the home for the family.

 “It’s overwhelming,” said Vanessa Fournier.  “I can’t put it into words how overwhelming this whole process has been and how giving people who don’t even know us are.”

 “It’s Jesus at work,” said Gabriel Fournier.  “It’s awesome."

11-year-old Faith and 10-year-old Keara gasped with amazement at their new bedroom.  It is all decked out in just about every shade of pink.

“I think it’s awesome how much everyone was willing to help us. All the love they showed, it’s awesome,”  said Faith Fournier.

“They put so much work in it,” said Keara Fournier.   “It’s so beautiful.”

The family will not have to make any payments on home for the next three years.  They will have a therapist and financial training.  They are excited about officially starting their new lives.