Tears of joy and accomplishment flowed at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton’s most recent home dedication ceremony in Trotwood. On November 22, April, a single mom of two, officially closed on her new home. The new 1,400-square-foot, energy-efficient home was built through Dayton Habitat’s annual Women Build program. This initiative rallies the passion of community-minded women throughout the Miami Valley to raise funding and volunteers to build a home for a dedicated mother and her family. The program was started in Dayton by the late Ann Simms over 20 years ago and continues to build houses for hard-working women to purchase.
The journey April and her sons took to this day of celebration was not easy. On January 10 of this year, an abandoned house next door to the home April was renting caught on fire and spread to her rental. She lost everything in the fire.
“At first, I was in a dark place,” admitted April, who works in the anesthesia department of a local hospital. “But I got through it with the faith of God and friends and family. You have to have a lot of faith.”
April was already an active partner family when the fire changed her life. But when Dayton Habitat learned about her change in circumstances, they quickly selected April as the 2024 Women Build partner family. This selection ensured she would get her new home this year.
April is no stranger to perseverance. Both of her sons were delivered prematurely, and since bringing them home, she has not lived in safe neighborhoods. However, those difficult days made being able to purchase her new home with a zero-percent mortgage even sweeter.
“I couldn’t sleep last night; I was so excited,” April said. “I have a home of my own! My boys get to ride up and down the street on their bikes, and I don’t have to sit on the porch and watch over them, worried that they aren’t safe.”
Elizabeth Breitenstein, Market President of Fischer Homes and Women Build Committee President, pointed out that the timing was perfect for April and her sons.
“What a blessing it will be to make memories and celebrate the holidays in their new home,” said Breitenstein. “I’m in awe of April’s strength and all the work she put into getting this beautiful new home. Women helping women is at this program’s roots. It is a game-changer.”
Trotwood Mayor Yvette Page was on hand to officially welcome April and her sons to the neighborhood.
“To God be the glory because nothing just happens by circumstance,” she said. “What you went through was so hard, but you prevailed. In Trotwood, we’re moving forward, and I want you to move forward with us.”
April’s new home could not have been possible without the hundreds of volunteers, the dollars raised by the Women Build Committee, and the sponsors of the build. Those main sponsors include FHLB Cincinnati, the State of Ohio Department of Development, Amazon RME, Reliable Electric, Greene Prairie Turf Farm, Schneider Electric, and Hangar 4F at Wright Patt Air Force Base.
“We don’t run a giveaway program; we run a partnership program,” said Habitat Development Director Dave Mauch. “Building a new home is probably one of the most expensive things a family can do in this world. But Habitat proves over and over again that with a dedicated community of supporters, it can be done.”
If you’d like more information about supporting or volunteering to help Habitat and the annual Women Build program, go to daytonhabitat.org/womenbuild or call 937-586-0860.
