Homeowner Stories
Jessica Gates
On August 16, 2016, Jessica Gates and her three children, moved into their new home. This home was built through faith, love, and community.
Once Jessica had received news that she had been accepted into the program, she felt it had given her, “a renewed sense of faith, not just in God, but in (herself), and in what (she) could attain”.
Before moving into her own home, it was necessary for Jessica to complete her sweat equity service. The Habitat for Humanity Home Ownership program requires potential homeowners to complete 300 hours of sweat equity service. While half of these hours must be completed by the potential homeowner themselves, the other 150 hours could be donated from other volunteers, family members, or friends. When hearing this number, Jessica was shocked. “Do I even know that many people?”, she wondered. She began to doubt her ability to accomplish this task.
With the help of Habitat for Humanity, Jessica was able to find the help she needed. She was able to form fantastic relationships with other potential homeowners who were going through the same process alongside her. “At the worksite I would tell people ‘Oh I’m a homeowner and I’m working on my hours, and they would say ‘Well what can I do to help you’”, Jessica said, “It was such a blessing because it feels like you’re facing such a mountain to climb, but when you’ve got others who are beside you and climbing that mountain with you, you’re like ‘okay I think this is doable’”. Throughout the process, Jessica felt a great, welcoming energy coursing through the Habitat for Humanity community. “I was just blown away by consistent kindness at every corner that you turn”, Jessica said.
In 2016, after moving into her new home, Jessica decided to explore a career as a realtor. Her new house had given her the inspiration to motivate and help others find a house that feels like home. “If you give a person a home, they can thrive”, Jessica said. They can think, “‘I have this safe space to come to, I can paint it all the comforting colors, I can put all the wonderful things in it that make me feel safe and feel comforted, and feel what it means to be at home’”.
When asking Jessica what having a home means to her, she replied, “A home is where the people you love are… A home gives people a safe place, a landing space”. A home is not just a house. It’s a place where you can feel a sense of privacy within your family. To Jessica, her home is a place where her kids could grow up, having their own personal space to explore any hobby they choose. “My lot, my kingdom”, Jessica said.
Written by: Sarah Jung
LaDonna Marshall
“It is not about me….I have been chosen and I am blessed!”
Living in an apartment alone with my children, life was challenging and lonely. I was visiting with a friend one day who mentioned Waco Habitat for Humanity, a program that could make homeownership a reality for me. I was not sure about all this but listened carefully. I looked into the program, decided to take a chance, and put in my application. I found the Waco Habitat for Humanity team to be a good, warm, and willing to help team. I was told, “You can do this LaDonna, and we will help!”
And Guess What!
I was chosen, and no longer alone! I had been accepted into the program. Throughout the process, I felt good about the organization, and I was supported. It felt right, and the people I worked with were good. The Waco Habitat team made me feel like I was part of the family. They became my blessing.
A friend invited me to my first Waco Habitat for Humanity home dedication, and I attended. The dedication is a celebration of the new homeowner's journey with Waco Habitat. After the completion of the home, the community and the homeowner come together to celebrate, complete with a ribbon cutting. After watching this celebration, I wanted to attend other dedications. I got to know John Alexander and the team at Waco Habitat for Humanity well and truly enjoyed being involved.
After the Waco Habitat home dedication, John Alexander, the Executive Director for Waco Habitat for Humanity asked me to join the board! He noticed I was dedicated to Habitat for Humanity and how much I loved being involved in the program. I believe my response was “Are you kidding me? You want me to join the Board of Directors?”
And Guess What!
I became a member of the Waco Habitat for Humanity Board! I became a mentor to other families in the program. I helped families as they entered the process to ensure they had a good experience. We all attended the Homeownership classes together. As I learned more about the program I had a thought, I wanted to ask the General Manager of the plant I work at if he would like to come help me build my house. He said YES!
How about that!
The plant quickly got involved with donations for my home and other homes like mine. Beautiful people working together.
Central America
I learned about the Habitat for Humanity International team that did work in Central America. I was approached once again, but this time it was to serve in El Salvador.
And Guess What!
I accepted this opportunity to travel to a different part of the world and help build a home. I had to raise the money to travel, so I had a fundraiser selling cookies and pizza and I earned what I needed plus some.
I will tell you about El Salvador…. it was my first time away from home.
The experience was life-changing. You know in the USA we experience freedom. Freedom to eat what you want, live where you want, and spend your money the way you want. In Central America that is not the case. I did not make much money, but in El Salvador, I felt rich.
I met a nurse that made $50.00 a month.
I am going to tell you; that the nurse was walking with pride!
The people in El Salvador were accepting of us. It was awesome. I was there to work! I got to work with rebar while working on a repair for a home.
One morning, we headed to a remote village at the top of the mountain.
The road to the top was long, rough, and full of curves. The teams traveling with us got sick. I held my head straight, so I was okay. We made it to the top of a brick road. The ladies of the village were so sweet. I felt the love from the people quickly. I enjoyed every minute.
Would I go back? Probably not.
The houses on the mountain were so different. They lived in a multi-family structure that resembled a mall in my mind. It had little entrances to little rooms, and each family lived in a single room. During meals, the family gathered out in front of the dwelling and ate food they cooked on a barrel. Ladies walked with baskets on their heads to get to the creek for laundry and water. They returned to the dwelling to their rooms after the meal.
They have less…They were excited about less!
I was blessed!
I witnessed wealthy families nearby, but they had no desire to help those in need just across the street.
In summary:
My home was complete, I got moved into my home and I remember watching my son lying in the grass. He just loved the grass, we had never had grass for him in the past.
Coming together to build with and for others, building with hands of love! I was taught at a young age by my father, if you take care of what you have it will last forever.
Written by: Suzanne Surratt & Audrey Cunningham