The Story of Family #64

The Story of Family #64

I am a single mother of four and I care for my disabled mother. Seven years ago, I moved to Georgia to escape a very abusive situation. When we arrived in Georgia, we had only the clothes on our backs and two small suitcases for my children.

I had a total of $612 saved up and was able to find a small two-bedroom mobile home for my family to start our life over in. I was able to get a job as a waitress at a waffle house until my certified nursing certificate transferred over to GA. After being here for two years, our home caught on fire and we lost everything again and had to start over for a second time. We then found the home we are currently renting, and we are still there trying to make it work for my family of six. The home is an older home in a bad neighborhood with drugs, gangs, shootings, and police always chasing after someone. We suffer with living in a home with mold, water leaks, appliances not working, safety hazards, no heat or air conditioning, doors that cannot lock, broken windows, and no outlets. I work a full time job as a nursing assistant. I struggle to try to provide everything my children need, on top of paying bills, but with my income, there is not enough money left to do a lot with my family. I was almost at a point of despair when I heard of a program called Habitat for Humanity.

After doing some research, it became obvious to me that this program could be an answer to my earnest prayers.

My goal in life is to have a house to call ours where my family can build together, grow in, and know my children will have a safe place to call home.

I have worked for 5 years to find a solution before I finally found Habitat for Humanity. Once I got my homeowner orientation taken care of, and application turned in, I got a call on December 20, 2017 that changed my life. Mrs. Mary Duvall called at 9:30am to tell me my family had gotten the final approval from the board. That day changed my life in so many ways and very soon, my biggest dream will come true. I will become a homeowner and have a safe place to call our forever home.

I started my sweat equity hours as soon as I could, and was determined to get everything I needed to do done as soon as possible, within 5 months, I have completed everything, and now we are ready to start building on our home.

I’m ready to work hard to nail each board, piece by piece, to build my future forever home, a safe place where my family can live in peace and safety.