Home dedication marks full-circle moment for local family

Habitat for Humanity Press Release

Next Saturday, Oct. 18, Habitat for Humanity will proudly dedicate a new home to a Habitat partner family. The new homeowner is a hardworking mother of three whose journey with Habitat began over two decades ago when she helped build her mother’s Habitat home.

In 2001, she was just 15 years old when her mom applied for and received a Habitat house. Together, they installed drywall, sanded walls, and built more than just a house – they built a future. Having grown up in the projects, both mother and daughter saw homeownership through Habitat as a turning point. Now, 25 years later, Habitat’s new mortgagee is once again holding a hammer – this time to build her own forever home.

“This home is a new chapter in our family’s story,” she said.

“My kids will finally have a safe, comfortable place that they’ll never have to move from. A place to call home – forever,” said the new homeowner.

For years, the mother of three faced housing instability, including unresponsive landlords and unsafe neighborhoods.

“My 8-year-old can’t play outside because it’s not safe. We go to DaVeaux Playground just so she can enjoy being a kid,” she said.

Through the Habitat program, The mother of three put in hundreds of sweat equity hours, working side-by-side with volunteers like Claudia, Russ, Chris, Jimmy and other long-time supporters.

“The volunteers are amazing,” she said. “Everyone has been so kind and patient with me – even when I felt overwhelmed. I can’t believe how much people care.”

She wants to pay the kindness forward. She has an open invitation to Habitat volunteers that helped her build her home and will still be working in the area. She said, “If you're ever in the neighborhood and smell something on the grill, I insist you stop by. Come get a hot dog or some ribs!”

Her advice to future Habitat families? “Be patient – it’s a process, but it’s worth it. This is a huge investment in the community, in us, and it makes sense that it takes time.”

The new homeowner now joins the ranks of 34 other families, including over 140 children in Niagara County whose lives have been transformed through safe, stable housing.