Stories

Sherelle Gabriel, a single mother of three, recently became a Habitat homeowner. When she applied to the Habitat program, she lived in a public housing rental home in the middle of a drug-infested neighborhood. Her family sustained the heartbreak of several break-ins that would mysteriously occur soon after purchasing things to make her home more comfortable. She knew it was not a good atmosphere in which to raise her family. A friend (and fellow Habitat partner family) told her about the Habitat Homeownership Program and how it could help her achieve an affordable mortgage in a safe, new...

“I can pass my home down to my son, Treyvon so that he may continue to have a stable home life”.

Teanika Johnson is a single mother with one son. She was living in a drug and crime-infested neighborhood, and though she and other tenants complained, nothing was done to help keep them safe. After many years of the same problems, she moved to her present home, though she still has some issues with crumbling walls, bad ceiling leaks and other problems.

Teanika has a 12-year-old son named Treyvon. He is a 7th...

“I learned how to shingle a roof on one of the sites, and recently helped a friend put shingles on his home.”
Family: Nzamutuma Family
Family Members: Isaac Nzamutuma & Jacqueline Uwabera, Emmanuela (4 yrs), Daniella (4 yrs), Ariella (9 mos)
Why Habitat?: To live up to their duties as parents by providing a decent home for his family.
Read the full Nzamutuma Family Bio (PDF) ...

“We are doing well in managing money but we are still trying to perfect our knowledge in the area of good nutrition.”
Family: Yoniyo Family
Family Members: Nema & Emmanuel Yoniyo, Emmanuela (4 yrs), Renee (2 yrs), Elijah (6 mos)
Why Habitat?: To provide stability for their family
Read the full Yoniyo Family Bio (PDF) ...

“I have never heard of any organization that is faith based and so willing to assist a potential homeowner with establishing homeownership.”
Family: Terrence Dominick
Why Habitat?: Tired of renting and wanted to be a homeowner

"Homeownership was always a dream to me, but now that dream has come true for me and my family”.

Family: Shephard Family
Family Members: Kimberly Shephard, Tobias (17 yrs), Tavon (15 yrs), Tamaya (14 yrs)
Why Habitat?: Unsafe neighborhood filled with guns and drugs
Read the Shephard Family Bio (PDF) ...

“We tried other programs but no one would give us a chance”.

Family: Lewis Family
Family Members: Alvin & Felicia Lewis, Martayja (17 yrs), Travis (15 yrs), Kamron (9 yrs), Keinon (7 yrs)
Why Habitat?: Stability & security for their children
Read the Lewis Bio (PDF) ...

“We are so excited and feel so blessed to become homeowners.”
Family: Hall Family
Family Members: Kevin & Martina Hall, King Hall (4 yrs)
Why Habitat?: To be good parents to their son and provide a stable environment.
Read the Hall Family Bio (PDF) ...

“The homeownership program allows me to hold my head up and say to my children, this is our home.”

Family: Lake Family
Family Members: Tina Lake, Ty’Lynn (12 yrs), Ty’Rell (7 yrs)
Why Habitat?: To be self-sufficient and learn new skills to pass on to her children.
Read the Lake Family Bio (PDF) ...