Everyone builds for a reason
What's yours?
Penny: We lived in a little two-bedroom house with all five kids. It was a pretty sad-looking house.
I wouldn’t change that because that’s part of who we are. It definitely made my children appreciate once we moved. I mean, they saw what hard work does — where they came from and what you can achieve.
I’ve heard them tell their friends, “We live in a Habitat house.” They know that their parents weren’t handed something, that we worked for it. I think that shaped their personalities and their outlook on what they want to achieve for their families.
John: The house itself is like a foundation for everybody. This is the beginning of a whole new era of family, that’s the way I see it. It’s just like we’re the beginning …
Penny: … Of the family tree.
John: Of the family tree. Yeah, that’s how I see it.
“Habitat is a great equalizer that provides value for everyone, whether it’s the volunteer, the family, the site supervisor. It doesn’t matter who you are when you show up and what you know. You are of value. That is a great thing.” – T.J. Burghart, Habitat AmeriCorps alum
“It will be a fresh start for me and the kids. They keep asking me every day, ‘When are we going to move in?’ They can’t wait.
“It will mean so much. It was never really about me. It was for my kids.” – George, Greater Mount Airy Habitat homeowner
“I think the most important thing in my life is my kids, my family. I want them to grow up successfully. I want them to finish their studies, find a good job. I just want to see them happy, that’s it.
“It was my dream to have our own house. It’s beautiful, and I think there’s more opportunity. We’re blessed we’re here, and we’re happy. I love everything here.” – Angelie, Habitat Philippines homeowner
“We rented from place to place with no place to really call our own. As a kid, I was constantly changing friends, neighborhoods and schools. In my head, I wanted to do things differently for my own kids. I wanted us to own our own house.
“When I think of home, I think of love and family. I think of some place to come at the end of the day and talk around the dining room table. This is something I wanted as a kid. I feel good that I can do this for my kids.” – Lashonda, Habitat Kansas City homeowner
“In Billings, I got to meet and work alongside a lovely mother of three, Cara. This was the first time I had actually met a Habitat homeowner-to-be. The memory isn’t as fresh as it could be, but I do remember a lot of laughing between hammer swings. Cara was gracious enough to share with me some of the more personal details of becoming a homeowner and the commitment she has given to Habitat in exchange for their commitment to her.
“I had no idea that the to-be residents help to build homes — their home and their neighbors’ homes. Frankly, it’s beautiful. That was the moment I remember feeling empowered. I was a lucky man to be working with men and women all committed to a plan greater than themselves, committed to the idea of community.”
– Dillon Keefe, whose 13,000-mile adventure around the continental United States brought him to build sites and Habitat ReStores in Indianapolis, Indiana; San Francisco, California; Portland, Oregon; Billings, Montana; and Collinsville, Illinois
“You see so much more confidence out of these folks. I think, in addition to being thrilled about the home, they’re feeling pretty proud with the work that they’ve done.” – Tucson Habitat family selection committee member Dave Hamra
“When I volunteered on Habitat builds, I saw how readily families contributed their own labor. They worked as hard as the volunteers because they were building their own house. At the house dedication, there was no mistaking the joy and pride on their faces.
“I’ve heard how parents build on the stability of a Habitat home to enable their children to achieve greater strength and self-reliance. I know these stories are true as I’ve met some of the families myself.” – Jacqueline Fernandez, Habitat India and Carter Work Project volunteer
“People were just laughing, laughing, laughing. They did not know what plan I had in mind. They could not believe that I could build such a house.
“Habitat really provided much because they give you skills. They also talk of a plan. They give you encouragement. They give you examples. I’m very happy, and I’m very thankful because Habitat has helped me to construct a house which now I live in, and it’s very comfortable for me. They’re good people, and the entire community is very happy. They have seen what we have done.”
– Julius, who built his house incrementally with help from Habitat Kenya