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April’s journey to becoming a homeowner with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton has been fueled by her determination to provide a better life for herself and her two boys, Antwan and Aydan. After years of paying rent on a home she would never own, April resolved to break free from a cycle of uncertainty and instability.

For a decade, April and her children endured the challenges of living in an unsafe neighborhood plagued by crime. Determined to ensure her boys’ safety, April would need to monitor the area while they played outside. The lack of community and the presence of abandoned houses and incomplete sidewalks limited her children’s freedom, hindering their ability to explore and ride their bikes.

April’s commitment to creating a brighter future for her family led her to discover Habitat for Humanity through her aunt, who had once applied for Habitat’s Homeownership Program. Inspired by her aunt’s experience and motivated by a close friend who already owned a Habitat home, April embarked on a journey of empowerment.

Working as an anesthesia technologist at Miami Valley Hospital, April persevered in the face of rising rent and a budget that became increasingly difficult to balance. Her dedication to her children’s well-being and her own personal growth has led April to engage in volunteer work and homeowner classes offered by Habitat for Humanity. Through these experiences, she has learned valuable skills and discovered the joy of community involvement. April dreams of a safe and stable home where her children can play safely in their own yard and decorate their own rooms—a privilege they were previously denied.

Recently, April's family was displaced. A fire in the abandoned house next to her rental caught fire and spread to her home. After two weeks of living in a hotel, she and her two sons were able to move into a new rental home. Unfortunately, when April returned to her old home to retrieve the belongings that survived the blaze, she discovered that they had been stolen. With no belongings and an increased rent payment, the family is struggling but powering through to rebuild. 

With each swing of the hammer and every lesson learned, April is building not only a home but also a foundation of stability, security, and hope for her family. Her determination and love for her children serve as a testament to the power of resilience and the transformative impact of homeownership. April’s journey with Habitat for Humanity is not just about building a house—it’s about creating a life filled with possibilities, where dreams can take root and flourish.