SOUTH BEND — With the economy continuing to slump, the dream of home ownership is fading for dozens of local families in need of a new home. One local agency needs your help to keep those dreams alive.

Foreclosures, layoffs and tightening credit markets have pushed home ownership out of reach for millions of families. That's created a big increase in demand for help from organizations like Habitat For Humanity.

But charities like Habitat have been hit hard by the economy, too.

As demand for services soars, in many cases, donations and supplies are sharply down.

While that may push the dream back for some, others hoping for a new home are only working harder to get it.

Denise Herron of Mishawaka is one of them.

The young, single mother of four says her life these days revolves largely around her children. And they get to see a lot of each other.

In between her job as a cook and classes at Ivy Tech College, her close knit family is in close quarters.

Her three boys, including a set of twins, share one room in her two bedroom apartment.

"With the economy the way it is, I'm just happy to have a roof over our heads, but space is kind of at a premium, yeah," she said, smiling at her kids.

She knows she needs to move to give her children room to grow.

"But with my income? I probably wouldn't be able to get a house," she said.

That's where St. Joseph County's Chapter of Habitat for Humanity came in.

Last year, Denise applied to have a home built under the Habitat program.

Then the economy began to tumble, and she worried her "American dream" would go with it.

Since its founding in 1976, St. Joseph County's Habitat Chapter has built more than 100 houses for needy families.

Even in a "good year," volunteers say they can only complete about a dozen houses.

This year, with demand for homes soaring, organizers are hoping to complete 10 houses, while acknowledging that that goal may be dependent on donations from volunteers in both materials and time.

There is another way you can help, and it's as simple as shopping!

Habitat For Humanity also manages two local "Re-Stores" in St. Joseph County.

"This is like Goodwill for your home," laughed Habitat Re-Store worker Pedro Garcia. "But a lot of people don't know that we carry brand new merchandise, too. Most of this stuff is brand new stuff that's been donated, from floor tile and carpeting to appliances and brand new furniture. It comes in all the time."

Most of the money raised at both the Mishawaka and South Bend "Re-Stores" helps build more houses.

"We're going to build two full houses, or try to at least, with the profits we have from here," Garcia said.

This year, that's critical.

"The need is always there. There's always people who need a home. But right now, the way the economy is, you can't really help it. And if you come in here, you're going to help them, and help yourself, and ensure somebody's going to get a home," Garcia said.

Without that funding, hopeful homeowners like Denise could be left in limbo, waiting for their turn to start building their home.

"There's no guarantee when we'll start on our home," she said.

Even without a guarantee, Denise is keeping her spirits up, logging volunteer hours at the Mishawaka "Re-Store" and taking classes to help learn how to better manage her money.

"I'm taking financial classes, homeowner classes, construction classes. We're learning how to manage our credit, and how to build a house. I'm saving now, and I'm getting my credit in line. I'm not in a house yet, but I'm already growing just being in this program," Denise said.

Just the thought of a place to call her own is all the motivation she needs.

"I think of it as a light at the end of the tunnel. If I have to wait, I'm willing to wait," she said.

Beginning Feb. 2, Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County will conduct informational meetings for those wanting to apply for a Habitat house.

To receive an application for the spring 2009 selection round, you must attend one of the following meetings:

In English:

• 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2
• 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4
• 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7
• 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11
• 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14

In Spanish:

• 11a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7

All meetings will be held at St. Joseph County's Habitat for Humanity office, located at 402 E. South St. in South Bend.

There are three criteria for acceptance into the Habitat program: