OUR NEW NEIGHBORS
Building a 17-Story Home
Ok, we didn’t really do that. But because of generous donors like you, we have helped over 160 families move into homes! Thank you! As we end 2023, we want to highlight the 17 future homeowners currently partnering with us—and you—to achieve their homeownership dreams.
Ali and Zahira are refugees from Afghanistan who have worked tirelessly to create a safe and permanent home for their family. Their current housing situation is small, expensive and unsafe, without an option to play outside. Their daughter often asks, “Why don’t we have our own house? Why are we always moving from place to place?” Ali and Zahira are already investing time and energy into their home as it’s being built. They share, “Owning our home is a family dream. And this home means peace of mind and a bright future for our children, and us.”
Alix is on a limited income, which has made it hard for her to find affordable housing. She is thrilled that Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity built townhomes for single adults with disabilities. Alix says, “I have autism, and it affects me daily, but just because we have disabilities doesn’t mean we don’t want to be successful and live in our own homes too...I have felt so stuck in life, and now I finally feel like I will be okay.” Adults like Alix deserve to feel secure in their homes in order to succeed in their lives. Lakeshore Habitat is honored to provide that opportunity.
Andrea is a Navy Veteran who has roots in the country of Chile. Several years ago she moved her daughter back to the United States so that she could have a better life with more opportunities. Unfortunately, part of that move included a very expensive monthly rent. When she thinks about her future home she shares, “This home will be a new beginning, an opportunity to grow, a new chapter in our lives to give my daughter stability, security and belonging… on top of the immense pride that comes from having a place to call my own.”
Araceli—a single mom to her son and daughter—will do anything to provide a safe and healthy place for her kids. Where they lived was unhealthy, so Araceli and her children now live in an apartment that burdens her severely, with over 50% of her monthly income towards rent. “Owning our own home will mean so much to us. It will be our safe place and provide stability and security for our future.” One of Araceli’s future goals is to go back to school to show her kids that anything is possible when you set your mind to it.
Brenda was born in Holland and lived here all her life. Years ago she had an accident and was told she’d never be the same. Graduating as a “miracle child,” she repeated high school successfully and went from a wheelchair to walking again. She is excited to be part of Haven Townhomes, a unique community for single adults with disabilities. “I have already built relationships with my future neighbors… If my neighbors have problems, I can try to help them. I like listening. I really like supporting people and will do that in my new community.”
Elizabeth has been determined to work hard to find new stability and safety for her and her kids after experiencing domestic violence and homelessness. “When I learned that I could apply for this house, I put everything into it, because I had nothing. I had reached rock bottom. I really put my heart and everything I could into it. I worked hard. You took a family out of the streets – a good family. Remember that bad things happen to good people.”
Ilyas, his wife—who are renting—and their four children have moved three times in the last seven years and currently live in a small apartment. They miss having space that enables them to spend time together, celebrate their culture, and share meals with their extended family. “Becoming a homeowner will finally make our move to the U.S. feel permanent. It makes me proud that we finally did it. Now we can say we have our home. We don’t have to worry.”
Jillian is a hardworking mom ready to provide stability and a soft, safe place to land for her 3 kids. She believes the new home she was able to afford because of Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity will bring her family independence and autonomy they’ve never experienced. She’s grateful to everyone involved in the process, especially “to have people genuinely want to help you… not to hand you something, but to be given the respect of earning their help – a hand up, not a handout.”
John lives in transitional housing through Ladder Homes, but his second-floor apartment is physically hard on him. He is independent and ready to live in his own home but can’t find anything he can afford. John is already looking forward to his home dedication, asking if there’s a limit on how many friends he can invite. He extended the invite to his regular Max bus driver, who John shared, “…happens to be a painter on the side and wants to help!”
Leah has overcome a lot of trauma, both in her childhood and in her adult life. It is because of her faith and her mom that she survived. She currently rents an apartment in a neighborhood where she doesn’t feel safe, and where nearly all her income goes to rent each month. “For the longest time, I was in a survival mindset, so much so that I had forgotten what it was like to actually live. Now, thanks to this program, I am working to become more financially secure and independent.”
Metta is a single mom committed to caring for her four boys. She is taking college courses to earn her degree while working full time to provide for her family, all while living in a small trailer with repair and inefficiency issues in an unsafe neighborhood. At the groundbreaking, Metta shared, “This opportunity is changing our lives.”
Michelle is currently living in transitional housing after making the hard yet healthy decision to end her marriage. She feels empowered to make a brighter future for her and her three daughters who enjoy crafts, hunting, fishing and swimming. “This townhome is a dream come true for my girls and me. We will have a forever home and not need to move again. I will have a safe place to raise my children.”
Muhammad, his wife and five children immigrated from Afghanistan in 2016 and are living in a 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment. Finding affordable housing has been a challenge, so much so that they have moved 4 times in the last 7 years. “Now, finally, we can say to our kids, ‘It’s our own home!’ We are more than excited to find this affordable, safe place for our kids where they will grow up. It’s just the starting place of love, hope and dreams for our family.”
Nina has three children and has been fighting the constantly rising rent costs in her two-bedroom apartment building. Having limited play space and feeling unsafe outdoors, she has worked hard to make the dream of owning a home a reality for her family. Working full time—including night shifts—to be more present for her kids, she knows “this home is an opportunity to have a foundation for my family and to show them they always have security when they have a home.”
Shane, Tasha, and their daughter made the difficult decision to move when their home became dangerous and uninhabitable. Currently, they rent an apartment that costs nearly 50% of their monthly income. Having an affordable home felt out of reach before Lakeshore Habitat. “Having a safe home is the foundation for our family to thrive and succeed in our community, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to realize our dream.”
Victoria holds a college degree and has a successful job in accounting but still struggles to find affordable housing for her and her son. Becoming a single parent shortly after her son was born, she has been renting a one-bedroom apartment from her family and using this time to pay off debt acquired from her previous marriage. The home she was able to buy because of Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity is “something I didn’t think was possible as a single parent, but it’s the stability I’ve strived for since my son was born.”
The Impact You’re Making; The Lives You’re Changing.
Your generous year-end tax-deductible gift will put more community members like these and more on the path to a brighter future with a strong foundation.
Your support will help us reach our goal of $300,000. These funds will help us complete our 17-story home and have the capacity to say, “Yes!” to future families, each with their own story, in 2024.