Lester stepped into the backyard of the lot in Johnston County that will soon become his forever home. His eyes widened as he took in the expanse of space. This Clayton neighborhood offers particularly large yards for Habitat Wake homes, and to Lester, the possibilities were endless. "I could get a whole garden out here," he said, imagining the rows of fresh produce that could fill the space. "I work for the food bank in Raleigh, and I used to teach urban farming classes."
For Lester, access to fresh food isn’t just a passion—it’s a way of life. Growing a garden means providing his family with healthy, homegrown produce, something that’s been close to his heart throughout his work in food access.
At Habitat Wake, we recognize the lasting impacts of homeownership on families—education advancement, financial stability, and a sense of security for future generations. But it’s the small, everyday dreams, like planting a garden, that often get overlooked in the statistics. Access to land promotes health, connection, and the opportunity to nurture something that can grow alongside the family.
"I am mind-blown right now. I feel amazing. I’m just really grateful to be part of this program," Lester shared. "I’m a single dad, so I’ve been coming out every Saturday to get my sweat equity hours in. Sometimes I even use a vacation day to make sure I’m hitting my hours."
When asked how his daughters feel about moving into their new home, Lester grinned. "My youngest, she’s four, and I keep telling her, ‘You’ll have your own room soon!’ She’s never had that before. She tells me, ‘I don’t want to be without you, Daddy.’ But I know she’s going to love it. And my teenager is definitely going to love having her own room—and her own bathroom."
Beyond the immediate excitement, Lester recognizes the long-term value of this home. "Once they get to my age, this can be an asset for them and their kids down the line."
Looking around the neighborhood with only months between him and homeownership, Lester smiled. "It’s great to see everything coming to fruition. It’s all paying off."
We look forward to seeing Lester in his new home and watching the growth of his garden—and his family. To learn more about the work we're doing in Wake and Johnston Counties, visit our website here