While volunteering on a build site with her church about six years ago, a fellow parishioner suggested that Rachel apply for a Habitat home herself. At the time, Rachel lived with her daughter in a tiny, run-down apartment within walking distance of the Tammy-Lynn Center where Rachel’s oldest son, Joshua, lives. Joshua is multi-handicapped. For Rachel to afford a home of her own, moving outside of Wake County would have been necessary. Luckily, Habitat for Humanity came into the picture, allowing her to become a homeowner just four miles away from Joshua.
For a mortgage payment about equal to the rent Rachel previously paid, she acquired much more space, a sun-lit home, and a yard giving her the ability to have a garden. The downtown location allows Rachel and her children to walk to events and museums and easily spend time with Joshua. During the build, Habitat made modifications for Joshua’s wheelchair enabling him to visit regularly. They constructed a ramp to the back door, gave the home and open floor plan, and widened doorways leading to the bathroom and one of the bedrooms.
The primary sponsor of Rachel’s home was Broughton High school, which her daughter now attends. The hard work and dedication of the students, along with Habitat’s crew and the ‘Friday Guys,’ impressed Rachel. She believes Habitat gave her a great opportunity and that it can do the same for other working people. Habitat pushed Rachel’s creativity and enabled her to start her own business as a massage therapist. Within her community, there are teachers, other massage therapists, a physical therapy assistant, and a firefighter. Habitat encourages people to want more, not to settle, and to feel empowered to take control of their lives.
Topics: