On October 4, we celebrated the incredible journeys of three women at their home dedications. These women have worked tirelessly to achieve their dream of homeownership, showing us all what is possible through determination and partnership. At each dedication, we present symbolic keys engraved with words like Hope, Strength and Faith—qualities that Yisenia, Sharina, and Mildred not only embody, but also inspire in those around them.
Yisenia and her daughter Melany smile gratefully in front of their new Habitat home.
Yisenia: A Story of Hope
Yisenia’s journey with Habitat began in 2021. “We are truly desperate,” she said when first coming to Habitat. As a mother of two, she committed to Habitat’s housing counseling to learn budgeting and savings strategies to prepare for one of the biggest investments of her life. Two years later, she returned with her savings in hand, ready to achieve her dream of homeownership.
Reflecting on her mother’s journey, Yisenia’s daughter Melany shared words of gratitude. “I’m very grateful to God and to all of you because now we have this house,” Melany said. “My mom has gone through a lot ever since we got here from Cuba. We’re very grateful.” Overcome with emotion, Yisenia could only stand beside her daughter with tears of joy, grateful to have secured a safe home for her family.
Sharina and key presenter Dede D’Arcy share a joyful moment after being handed symbolic keys to her new home.
Sharina: A Story of Strength
Sharina, a mother of four, started her Habitat journey in 2018. She faced numerous challenges, including unsafe and unsuitable living conditions. “She just kept going and going and going,” Habitat Housing Counselor Raisa Porro shared of Sharina’s perseverance.
After overcoming so much, Sharina expressed deep gratitude at her home dedication. “First and foremost, I want to thank God, because without him, this wouldn’t have been possible,” she said. “My deepest thanks to all my amazing kids who kept me motivated, and my wonderful friends- for your patience, for every nail you hammered, and for being by my side; you showed me what it means to be strong.”
Through her struggles, Sharina found strength and can now breathe a sigh of relief. “I want to thank the Habitat community from the bottom of my heart for making this dream possible,” she said. “I look forward to many wonderful memories with my family here in this new home and I am forever grateful.”
Mildred beams with joy as she holds up the symbolic key and home ornament gifted to her at her home dedication.
Mildred: A Story of Faith
For Mildred, her Habitat journey began by putting her faith in God’s hands. Initially, Mildred was uncertain that Habitat would partner with her. However, she finally took the initiative to reach out after what could only be described as a moment of divine intervention. That initial first step led her to her home dedication, ready to have her keys in hand.
“This is a real blessing,” Mildred said. “This is something I never expected- that I literally own such a gorgeous home and have met such wonderful people.” For Mildred, her Habitat home felt like the fulfillment of her late son’s prediction.
“My son was handicapped, and this would have been a Godsend to him,” she said. “He said, before he passed away, ‘Mommy, move to Florida because Florida’s going to bring you happy things.’” Led by faith, Mildred has achieved just one of many happy things life will bring her. “For Habitat, every single one of you, you have my heart,” she said. “I love you like family.”
