Beth holds up a symbolic key at her home dedication, representative of her strength and resilience.
Two months after moving into her Habitat home, Beth reflects on the incredible journey that has brought her to where she is today.
“I had worked my way from a homeless shelter with my kids and eventually found a two-bedroom mobile home where we lived the past five years,” Beth said.
Beth has been a single mother of three since she left her youngest child’s father due to a tumultuous relationship. Since leaving, Beth said she’s always been worried about making ends meet to provide for her family.
“Every time I look around for rent, maybe to get a three-bedroom so the girls could share, and my son could at least have his own room, everything is sky high in pricing,” Beth said.
Beth proudly stands beside the home she helped build during last year’s wall raising.
However, everything changed when a friend from work told Beth about our affordable homeownership program. Her friend has been a Habitat homeowner for more than a decade.
Beth took a leap of faith by filling out the housing counseling intake packet. To her surprise, this led her to the path of homeownership. Over the course of six months, she completed 300 hours of sweat equity, attended more than 20 hours of homeownership education classes, and paid $2,000 toward closing costs.
“I love knowing how everyone gets to help build their community,” Beth said. “I got to meet my neighbors through the process. It makes a big difference to know that I’m a part of the process and the program. I can say I did this; I helped be a part of this. It means a lot to me. It really does.”
When Beth came to Habitat a year ago, she said, “Home is where the family starts, and memories are made.”
She celebrated her home dedication in our Journey Together community on May 9, 2024.
“I’m blessed now to be in my house,” Beth said. “I’ve been here for two months and to know that I can afford my mortgage and everything’s going to be great for me and the kids for the rest of their lives and mine, it’s been awesome.”
Prior to Habitat, Beth’s three kids shared one bedroom, with her two daughters having a bunk bed and her teenage son having a twin-size bed on the other end of the room. Now, each of her children has their own bedroom.
Since moving into their home, Beth says her children’s individual personalities are beginning to shine through more and more each day.
Now, those memories Beth referenced a year ago can take shape in her new home.
“This is a true beginning now,” Beth said. “It’s a safe haven for us where the kids can have their future. I don’t want to think about being a grandma or anything yet, but when that day comes, they can come to Grandma’s house for Christmas and Thanksgiving.”
Everything became possible due to having a safe, stable and affordable home, Beth said. “I actually can have memories and all the things that we deserve to have as a family,” she said.
