A letter from Future Homeowner Cindy

July 2020

Hello, my name is Cindy.

This year was supposed to be my comeback year. The year I did everything I set out to do. The year I was supposed to become a homeowner.

Last year, me and my two little girls lost EVERYTHING in a fire at our rental apartment. All we were left with was literally the clothes on our backs and my car. My landlord was eventually able to place us in a vacant apartment, but the conditions were not livable. There were no fire alarms installed, the floors needed extreme work, and for months there was no running hot water. With two toddlers who are constantly on the floor there was no way I could’ve had them here with those conditions. I had to send my girls to live with family while I tried to regain some of what we lost as well as make this space livable for us all.

By the grace of God and so many kindhearted people, clothes, food & furniture were donated to me and my girls. My ‘work family’ was a huge help and got me a lot of what the girls & I needed. After weeks of no response from the landlord, I took matters into my own hands, using my own funds to try and make where we are now comfortable and livable. Even still, the proper repairs have yet to be made. With all that I fell into some financial hardships, but God has been able to keep us afloat.

I heard about Habitat CFC through a close friend of mine. I was initially hesitant to fill out the application as I felt there’s no way I would qualify. After doing some research I decided to take a leap of faith and applied. After the fire I had to deplete my home savings and start again from square one. When I found out that I was accepted into Habitat’s program, it was my reassurance that prayers do work, things do get better, and dreams can still come true. I was so happy to be working towards our new home. I enjoyed getting my hands a little dirty, it made the process all more worth it.

Then Corona reared its ugly head. This has been something I could have never imagined. This virus came in and claimed so many lives as well as scared us all. Thankfully, I was able to work from home, be with my girls, and make sure that we are keeping safe. The one good thing that’s come out of this is the time I have gotten to spend with my family. Even with that upside, I can’t help having overwhelming feelings of doubt and sadness. Here I am again with another setback year. A year full of surprises and roadblocks.

Being able to move into my new home at the end of 2020 would have been a dream come true, but Corona forced us to stop working on future homes. Sites being closed also meant slowing down on completing my sweat equity hours. Everything’s at a standstill, and here I am 6 months into the year asking myself again what’s next.

Though my girls are small, they are excited to know that we are moving into our new home soon. We drive by the lot on Granfield Ave. every so often where the work has since stopped. I still point from the car and tell them, “That’s where we are going to live right there- it’s being built!” and to hear the joy in their voices makes my heart smile so much I can tear up. They are so excited, as am I, to have a place that we will be able to call our own. A place we can truly call “Home.”

Our Habitat home will be a fresh start for me and my two girls. This opportunity will jump start the foundation of our future. The fire turned our lives upside down, but this house is the light at the end of the tunnel. For me and my family, it shows how much hard work can pay off. I can show my girls what goals you can achieve when you challenge yourself to continually do your best. Buying a home with Habitat will change my life tremendously. I will be only the second person in my family to ever own a home.

I am looking forward to the day I can begin building memories with my girls in our new home and building relationships with my fellow Habitat neighbors. I’m on a better path of financial freedom and security and owning a home will only make me more responsible and accountable for every dime that’s spent. I’m truly honored & grateful for this opportunity and just wish and pray all this Corona stuff would go away so we can get back to building and get back to living our lives like we once were. I’m praying we all make it out of this trying time stronger and full of love for one another.

Stay Blessed & Stay Safe,

Cindy

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