Sometimes we have a tendency to look at facts and figures and forget that those numbers represent real people. Today, lets take a look at one of the real people who Habitat was able to help and what the Cost of Home means to them. This story is from the Tacoma-Pierce County Habitat for Humanity affiliate. Thanks to the Tacoma-Pierce County crew for writing this up and thanks to Denise for sharing her story!
Denise struggled to buy a house on the open market before coming to Habitat. She found that the only houses in her price range were extremely old, run-down, and unattractive, and she felt that these traits served as painful and visible reminders of the poverty from which she has fought so hard to escape. Denise spoke to us about her life growing up, and how she is working to create something far better for her two children, Carisma and Kingston. In her own words, she had this to say:
“Well, I’ll say, my parents moved a lot when I was a kid. So, I’ve gone to several elementary schools, several middle and high schools, and never had that one place where you can go back and say this was my home. I’ve lived in several places. So for me to offer that stability to my children, and they know, this has been my room since I was two years old, or thirteen years old, that’s just a dream come true. The American Dream. I’ve worked really hard to get my finances in order, to clean up my credit so I could give them something I wanted so bad as a child. When I leave home on Saturdays to go to a build site, I always tell my two-year-old, ‘Mommy is going to build you a house today.’ He just gets so excited. And I am just happy that I am able to give them stability and a future. I think the one thing that I sit back and realize when I try to take in all of the essence that Habitat is, is that I am going to be able to, with the money that I am saving, invest in my children’s college fund. That makes me happy, because, life is hard. It’s really hard. And this has been one of the hardest years of my life, just a lot of financial loss and just learning that you have to let go, and have to have your hand open, and be willing to work but just let go so that way God can pour in, and give you what he wants for you. Because I thought my plan was going one direction, one way. But He said, ‘That’s not so, that’s not what it is going to be like. Let me cover your backend, and watch what I can do for you.’ So, I am just letting God be who He is in my life.”
Denise mentioned some of the challenges she faced as a young woman, with the tragic loss of her own mother, and then becoming a mother herself, and what these experiences meant for her going forward.
“I lost my mother at a young age, at 18 actually, and became a mother that same year with my daughter. And so, knowing that I no longer had anybody to be accountable to, I have always looked at my children like, ‘I’m going to be that best role model for you. I may not be your only role model, but I am your first role model. And I want to show you that no matter what hurdles life throws at you, jump them and keep running. Keep running.’”
The apartment where Denise and her family lives now has flooded multiple times this year, causing issues with mold. There are parts of her apartment that are unsafe for her children to enter. She told us that safety and stability are her top priorities going forward. When asked why she chose Habitat, she referenced her faith, and her strong desire to be a self-reliant individual, rather than dependent on those around her for hand-outs.
“I think the one thing that really stood out for me about it is that it is a faith-based program. So, that automatically aligned us. The other thing is that they are not saying, ‘oh we are going to give you a house.’ You have to work for your house. It is really like, I don’t feel bad, like somebody is giving me a handout. I feel like it is like the program says, we are really giving you a hand up. But you are teaching me life skills that I am going to have forever. You are giving me an opportunity that is not free, but with hard work, and dedication, and teamwork, I am going to have a house very soon. So Habitat is a blessing to my life.”
Denise told us that she looks forward to serving her new community in Lakewood, and making connections with neighbors, especially other parents with children. We asked Denise what would be the first thing she would do in her new home, and she told us this:
“Beyond blessing my home, I know I am going to play some great music. I am already thinking of a playlist. I think I am going to cry, I don’t know. I keep imagining in my head what it is going to look like, and it is all about the intention. And I am really setting my intention to have a peaceful home. So I keep seeing this vision of it, but then I am like, okay let me not get too ahead of myself, let me stop decorating. Just to really enjoy it, and I am probably going to say ‘Yay, it is mine.’ So I am really looking forward to it. I did a little walk-through of Lot 1 that is going to be matched to me, and I am just like wow, my future starts today on the build site. I didn’t touch it but every time I go by the build site there is something more done to it. And I can’t wait until the 13th because that is when I meet with Michelle for paint colors, picking out flooring. I am so blessed and fortunate that I was selected for the program.”