Jennifer Carlos will be a mother for her fifth time. But for the first time, she is a home owner.

WWL-TV.com

“Oh, I love it!” Carlos said. “Love it! This is the best thing – from where we came from – this is the best.”

For years, Carlos lived in a trailer. Before Katrina hit, and a tree fell on the trailer and it also flooded.

But this is where her story turns into a fairy tale.

“I got to meet Bon Jovi and hugged him and he handed us the keys,” Carlos said.

In September 2006, Bon Jovi gave Carlos the keys to her first home and the money to build it.

Bon Jovi, however, was only one of several stars to lend a helping hand. He was one of many who partnered with Oprah and the Bayou area Habitat for Humanity to build houses in Gray.

But now the TV cameras are gone and, while the volunteers keep the construction booming, the Carolos’ and Jones’ and every other family is left with real life bills and mortgage payments.

That’s why before Habitat even allowed the families to have houses, they put them in money management courses to be able to pay an affordable note – no matter what comes their way.

“An average house note is $350 to $400, with insurance rates gong up,” Habitat for Humanity’s Lisa Smith said. “That is a big fear. We’re doing our best to keep those numbers down."

A year and a half later, no one on the block has failed their payments, and crime rates, according to the Terrebonne sheriff’s office, is practically nonexistent.

The Jones love their new home, but still drive into New Orleans every week for John’s lung cancer treatments and use the time to visit friends from the 7th ward.

New Orleans will always be a weekly trip for them, and the Oprah show a daily ritual in their new home, next to their new neighbors.