For Charlotte and her family, the journey to homeownership is one of excitement and gratitude rather than nerves. Having spent the last four years living in an unsafe neighborhood, the opportunity to own a home in a secure and stable community feels like an incredible blessing. Thanks to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton and the dedicated support of Wright Patt Credit Union and the Wright State University community, Charlotte’s dream of homeownership is becoming a reality.

Charlotte first learned about Dayton Habitat’s homeownership program from her brother, who became a Habitat homeowner seven years ago. Inspired by his experience, she eagerly took the steps necessary to qualify for the program. Her natural curiosity and love of learning made the process both enjoyable and educational. She embraced the homeownership courses with enthusiasm, particularly the hands-on home maintenance training. Now, she feels empowered to take care of her new home with confidence.

A manager at a local restaurant, Charlotte learns something new every day, and she carries that same mindset into every aspect of her life. She has instilled this love of learning in her three children—Makayla, Christopher, and Aliya—each of whom has big dreams for their future. Makayla, 18, is on her way to becoming a nurse; Christopher, 16, has a deep passion for architecture, art, and entrepreneurship; and Aliya, 13, dreams of becoming a hairstylist. While their interests may differ, they all share something in common: excitement at having their own rooms.

Charlotte’s commitment to the program extended beyond just learning—she also gave back through sweat equity volunteer hours. Every Dayton Habitat homebuyer must complete a minimum of 275 volunteer hours before purchasing their home. Charlotte and her children embraced this by volunteering at the Habitat ReStore, experiencing firsthand the community's generosity and the impact of their efforts.

In addition to providing her children with a safe and stable home, Charlotte is looking forward to one of her passions—cooking. She has always found joy in preparing soul food for her family, and with her new, spacious kitchen, she envisions countless meals shared with loved ones.

Unlike many first-time homeowners who approach this journey with a mix of excitement and apprehension, Charlotte feels nothing but optimism and joy. When asked about her experience with Dayton Habitat, she passionately states, “It will change you, your mindset, and everything!”

As the community comes together to help construct Charlotte’s home, she and her children could not be more grateful. Their future is bright, and this home represents not just a fresh start but the foundation for generations of dreams to come true.

Learn more about this year's Raider Nation Build at DaytonHabitat.Org/RaiderNation!