Back in October of 2019, our dedicated Habitat Lee and Hendry CEO, Becky Lucas, had the opportunity to attend the Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter Work Project in Nashville, Tennessee, accompanied by her husband, Brian, and Habitat Board Chair, Pam Avesian. Now, one year later, we have a special update from one of the 21 families this project supported.
Brittaney says she always wanted to provide a stable home for her daughter, Kylie. As a pre-school teacher and single mother, homeownership never really seemed possible. Thanks to her partnership with Habitat for Humanity, affordable homeownership is a reality she celebrates every day. As one of the 21 families supported by the Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter Work Project, Brittaney had the opportunity to work alongside President Carter, the first lady, country music stars, and hundreds of volunteers, including, Becky, Brian and Pam.
“Everything I did was for her,” Brittaney says, speaking of her 5-year-old daughter, Kylie. “I feel blessed. We’ve come a long way.”
The News4 Nashville crew, who spoke with Brittaney and her daughter, had the opportunity to tour the home. As 5-year-old Kylie takes viewers around the premises of her home, she explains trick or treating, points out a few spooky decorations, and tells reporters about her Beyoncé Halloween costume. Before the tour ends, we get to see Kylie’s bedroom. This is where we see her desk, pushed all the way up against a pink accent wall. It’s the space Kylie uses to attend school virtually.
“COVID has been an experience,” Brittaney says. Certain that having her own home made adjusting to the changes we’ve all seen in the world a whole lot simpler, she continues, “without me having a home, I wouldn’t have made that easy transition.”
Brittaney and Kylie are both grateful for their experience with Habitat, plus, milestones like celebrating their first Halloween together in their home. “For me, being in the program with Habitat and understanding the journey allowed Kylie to see it all. We were able to get this house she can call a home,” Brittaney says. “It’s just been a really good journey thus far.”
This is the first of many milestones the family is celebrating – Halloween and one year of homeownership – to be followed by many more.
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- Becky and her husband Brian (on the left in blue) with Habitat International CEO Jonathan Reckford, and country music stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.
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- Pam Avesian, Habitat’s Board Chair, helping build Brittaney’s home in Nashville, TN.
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- Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter at the opening ceremony for the Carter Work Project in Nashville, TN.
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- Becky, Brian and Pam with the house crew that worked on Brittaney’s home for a week during the Carter Work Project.
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- Brian Lucas builds alongside Habitat Homebuyer, Brittaney.
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- Becky Lucas, ankle deep in mud at the Carter Work Project in Nashville, TN.
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- Habitat Homebuyer Brittaney’s daughter, Kylie, shows off her Habitat shirt.
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- Brian and Becky Lucas sign blessings on the walls of Brittaney’s home during construction.
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- Becky Lucas helping on the jobsite.
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- Becky and Brian Lucas on the jobsite.
