A Legacy of Love, Strength, and Generations: Evelyn’s Path to Home Ownership
For Evelyn, who has called her Habitat house ‘home’ for over 30 years, having a home has provided stability for her family. Over three decades ago, Evelyn, a single mother with two young daughters, found herself at a crossroads, searching for stability and a place to call her own. She was renting a home that wasn't in the best shape. The walls, marked by visible holes, highlighted the challenges she encountered while striving to create a secure and comfortable space for her children. It was then that Central Valley Habitat for Humanity extended a helping hand, offering not just a house but a foundation for a future filled with possibilities.
Evelyn's daughters blossomed into independent women, creating families of their own. However, life took an unexpected turn when one of her daughters faced a debilitating heart attack, forever altering the course of their lives. Evelyn opened her heart and her doors to both her ailing daughters and her two grandsons. For Evelyn, the true value of the home became immeasurable. “I’ve actually raised two families in this house,” she remembers. Having a home for them to live in has been stabilizing for us.”
Evelyn doesn't see her home as just four walls; it's a sanctuary and “an answer to prayer for me.” The decision to bring her daughter and grandchildren into the fold was not solely about shelter; it was an embodiment of Habitat's vision – creating a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Evelyn's home became a refuge, a place where the strength of family and the resilience of the human spirit are nurtured daily. As we reflect on Evelyn’s journey, it’s not just about the past 30 years but rather the legacy having a home has allowed.
Central Valley Habitat for Humanity is at the forefront, addressing housing insecurity and promoting financial stability to reduce the reliance on additional interventions. What would you give for a program that eliminates the need for temporary support? Would you give us the cost of a cup of coffee? A loaf of bread? A tank of gas?
Our new Helping Hands Club asks for a modest donation of just $20 a month to aid our Homeownership and Critical Home Repair programs in providing individuals with affordable homes and older adults with home repairs. For every 800 people who join this program, we will be able to build 1 additional home each year and 5 more critical home repairs.
