When Carolyn Hurley talks about her work as Family Services Coordinator at Ulster County Habitat for Humanity, her passion is palpable. “We’re not just helping people buy houses,” she explains. “We’re preparing confident, educated homeowners for long-term success.”
In 2025, Carolyn significantly expanded Ulster Habitat’s Homebuyer Education Series, transforming it from a handful of required sessions into a comprehensive program that addresses every aspect of the homeownership journey that will expand even further in 2026.
More Than Just Mortgage Basics
Last year the Homebuyer Education Series represented a major step forward in how Ulster Habitat prepares partner families and individuals for homeownership. Working with trusted community partners, Carolyn coordinated a full slate of workshops covering topics many first-time homebuyers never even think to ask about:
Debt Reduction and Budgeting – Presented by Michelle Rawl from Primerica at The Institute for Family Health, this workshop helped attendees clear the path to mortgage qualification through practical debt management strategies.
Homebuyer Seminar – Banking expert Nick Altomare from TD Bank walked participants through the entire homebuying process, demystifying mortgage options and qualification requirements.
Life Insurance – Michelle Rawl returned to address a crucial but often overlooked aspect of homeownership: protecting your investment and your family’s future if the unexpected occurs.
Understanding Credit – Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union’s experts taught participants how to build and maintain strong credit profiles – essential for both qualifying for a mortgage and managing finances as a homeowner.
Fire Safety – Kingston Fire Chief Chris Rae provided essential education on home fire safety, including proper smoke detector placement, exit planning, and fire prevention strategies. The class was held on-site at one of our nearly completed homes in Saugerties, giving participants hands-on experience in an actual home.
Why Expansion Matters
The expansion wasn’t just about adding more workshops – it was about creating a holistic educational journey that addresses real barriers to homeownership:
- Financial literacy that goes beyond just saving for a down payment
- Credit building strategies for those starting from scratch or recovering from past challenges
- Risk management through life insurance and financial protection education
- Long-term planning for taxes, escrow, maintenance, and ongoing homeowner responsibilities
Community Partnerships Make It Possible
None of this expansion would have been possible without community partners who believe in the mission. Primerica, TD Bank, Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, Walden Savings Bank, and The Institute for Family Health all stepped up to provide expertise and space for these workshops.
“These aren’t vendors – they’re true partners,” Carolyn emphasizes. “They understand that educated homeowners benefit the entire community, not just our organization.”
Beyond the Classroom
But Carolyn’s work extends far beyond coordinating workshops. She provides one-on-one guidance to every prospective homebuyer, walking them through the application process, answering questions, addressing concerns, and providing encouragement when the path feels overwhelming.
“The homebuying process can feel daunting,” Carolyn acknowledges. “People come to me worried they don’t have perfect credit, or they’re not sure they can qualify, or they’ve never owned a home before and don’t know where to start. My job is to break down what seems impossible into manageable steps and walk alongside them every inch of the way.”
Open to All
Moving forward we are adding more workshops that will be free and open to the public – not just partner families. Anyone interested in homeownership could attend, learn, and benefit from expert instruction, like home maintenance and gardening/landscaping, and home efficiency.
Measuring Success Differently
For Carolyn, success isn’t just measured in the number of attendees or workshops offered – it’s measured in confidence gained, questions answered, and barriers removed.
“When someone walks into my office feeling defeated by the housing market and walks out with a plan and hope – that’s success,” she says. “When a family completes our education series and confidently navigates the mortgage process – that’s success. When a new homeowner tells me they understood their closing documents because of what they learned in our workshops – that’s success.”
Looking Ahead
The expansion of the Homebuyer Education Series in 2025 sets a new standard for how Ulster Habitat prepares families for homeownership. Moving forward, Carolyn plans to continue building on this foundation, potentially adding workshops on home maintenance, energy efficiency, and financial planning for homeowners.
“Education is at the heart of our mission,” Carolyn reflects. “We believe that knowledge empowers families to achieve sustainable homeownership. Every workshop, every one-on-one meeting, every question answered – it all contributes to creating successful homeowners who strengthen our community.”
The Ripple Effect
The impact of comprehensive homebuyer education extends far beyond individual families. Educated homeowners are:
- More likely to maintain their homes properly
- Better prepared to handle financial challenges
- More confident in managing homeownership responsibilities
- Less likely to face foreclosure or financial crisis
- Stronger contributors to neighborhood stability
“When we educate homebuyers, we’re not just helping one family,” Carolyn emphasizes. “We’re strengthening entire neighborhoods and building a more stable Ulster County.”
An Invitation
For anyone interested in homeownership in Ulster County – whether partnering with Habitat or exploring other options – Carolyn’s door is open.
“You don’t have to have it all figured out,” she says warmly. “That’s what I’m here for. Let’s sit down, talk about your situation, and create a path forward together. Homeownership might feel out of reach, but with the right education and support, it’s more possible than you think.”
Ready to start your homebuying journey?
Contact Carolyn Hurley, Family Services Coordinator 📧 familyservices@ulsterhabitat.org 📞 (845) 340-0907 x105
Virtual and in-person meetings available. No judgment, no pressure – just clear guidance tailored to your situation.
