Homeowner Stories
Leading by Example
The reason this house is important to me is because it represents my hard work, dedication, and determination. I am 1 of 12 children and ever since I can remember I’ve had to be some what responsible. I had to always “help” in some manner. As I grew older, I knew I wanted to always do my best. That instilled a sense of responsibility in my life and helped me to desire to lead by example…to be the best me/mother/sister I could be in every area of my life. Having my first born at an early age didn’t slow me down one bit, but rather motivated me to work harder, find ways to be better, and live better for my son. “Lead by example” is what often echoed in my head. Show people hard work pays off. To even be approved for this house is a wonderful reminder. I find it somewhat difficult to give myself credit for how far I’ve come. Being a good friend, honest citizen, dedicated to one job, maintaining household duties and bills, giving my sons a stable/loving living environment, helping others…these are all things that I figured I’m supposed to do.
So, to reap such an opportunity as nice as being approved and trusted with this house symbolizes that all my hard work, all my determination, all my saving, all the responsibilities I can account for from childhood until now has truly paid off. I want my sons and everyone else for that manner, to know that when you work hard and help others, others will be willing to help you.
I’m grateful to Habitat for Humanity for the volunteer hours, and the opportunity to help others in building and helping with the process of other future home owners. I’ve learned and have been inspired so much because of this program. When I pull up to my house, what I will always see and what I desire my sons to see is a representation of hard work, diligence, and the importance of helping others.
Helping Others Came First
My name is Delnor. This is a brief summary of my life and how I came about getting to know Racine Habitat for Humanity.
I am the father of four daughters ages 17, 16, 12 and 7 years of age, that came from the poor streets of Chicago,IL. I lived there all my life up until I moved to Racine, WI in 2015 to give me and my kids a better way of life. I rented apartments throughout the city of Chicago and Racine. I lived here hoping to someday become a homeowner. I would have to work hard and stay focused on that homeowner's dream.
I knew that it would come true but never knew that I would get my blessings this way through Racine Habitat for Humanity. I never heard of such a great program until I started helping a co-worker, Ms. Astrid, who is also a Habitater, by volunteering in the program helping her with obtaining her needed volunteer hours. She one day mentioned and encouraged me to call and to try to get enrolled in the program. I didn’t think I would have a chance of being selected by being a male and not knowing how the program worked.
So one day as I kept continuing to volunteer, I got the courage to call and sign up. Through time I got more familiar with the office members at Habitat, got to know really good people helping/working in the program, as well as many wonderful volunteer members. I am really happy to be involved in the program because it is more then just building a house, but more of helping build others' dreams to come true.
Grateful for A Dream Come True
Astrid has been living in the US for 12 Years. She is an immigrant of Columbia; all of her family is still living in Columbia. Astrid has no family members here, only her son, Derek. Astrid’s family is really poor in Columbia, she moved to the US for a better way of life with more opportunities. Astrid came to the US with a tourist visa to visit her boyfriend and they ended up getting married. She started off in New Jersey living with her now ex-husband. They eventually moved here to Racine because her ex-husband had a job offer. In Racine, her ex bought a home in his name. When they split up, he got the house and she was struggling to find somewhere to live. It was a very hard time for her and her son.
Friends offered to let them stay but when the time came they all turned their back on her and her son. Astrid was very upset but she proceeded working. She eventually found a small two-bedroom apartment in a decent neighborhood. Now that her son is in high school, he definitely needs more space and a backyard. The room he has in the apartment is tiny and they share one bathroom.
She was referred to Racine Habitat for Humanity by a coworker who explained the program to her and suggested she apply. Although she’s had trouble in her past she saw the great opportunity and the outcome to buy her own home. Astrid listened to her coworker and applied to our program 4 years ago. This will be Astrid’s first time buying a home on her own.
“I Astrid, feel really happy for the blessing God sent to my family through Habitat for Humanity. Being able to own a house gives you peace, security,and stability. These are the elements that all American families wish to be able to give to their families. I am so grateful Habitat for Humanity exists and helps people like me to make their dream come true.”
Astrid’s Son wrote; “I Dereck, want to say thank you to the program for making my Mommy’s dream come true, may God bless you all. We are going to enjoy the house to the maximum.”
Safe and secure for the first time
The day we heard about Habitat for Humanity on television, our lives were changed forever. We were all living in a two-bedroom apartment, Melvin and my sister Anisa, me and our four children, two of theirs and two of mine - Terrell, Kyra, Dionne and Leeana - who were all under eight years old. The apartment was what we could afford. Melvin and Anisa babysat for my kids while I worked two jobs and barely spent any time at home. My belongings were in the hall closet and I slept on the couch. Except for the crowded conditions, it was a good arrangement.
I grew up in a house with five sisters, a nephew and my divorced mom, who did the best she could with what she had, despite her drug and alcohol addiction. You never knew when she was going to binge drink and go on a rampage. One day, she even tried to kill our father in front of us. I never felt safe at home.
My mother was spiteful about how life treated her and refused to let us see our father. We were all miserable, except for the peaceful moments when we spent time at our grandparents’ house, which we did as often as we could. More than anything, we wanted a place that was calm and quiet where we could feel safe and secure.
The first Christmas in our new Habitat house was a dream come true. Our kids were ecstatic because they each had their own space where they could keep their own things and feel safe and secure. They knew that the space was theirs and they did not have to worry anymore about where they would live. That was the best Christmas present for all of us. We could see the stress melt from their faces, as this life became what it should be for them.
Affordable and Safe
Partnering with Habitat has allowed me to purchase my first home and have an affordable mortgage.
My son Markey and I are very happy to be able to live in an environment where we can be safe and have privacy.
It feels good to know that I now have a house that I can call my own. Thank you Racine Habitat!