willie

Ms. Rice states that we can expect from her to be dedicated, willing to give her all while in the program and to hopefully become a mentor to other future homeowners once she has received her home. She is currently renting in a two-bedroom home. When she moved in, she had to purchase her own appliances. She reported that the home has mold, no insulation and has cracks in the floor. She is a Customer Service Rep at Paragon Revenue Group and has a low income to debt ratio. She has two sons Jase, who is 12 and baby Ahmad. She states that she has always dreamed of getting a home.

rigoberto & anayeli

Mr. Flores & Mrs. Perez currently reside in a two-bedroom mobile home and need more space for their family. The believe that homeownership would impact their family 100%. They want to have their dream house that provides them with safety and enough space. They describe themselves as a friendly and hardworking family. They report that they are seeking emotional and economic stability through the Homeownership program. The Selection Committee members observed that their home is overcrowded and needs repairs. Rigoberto has made many small repairs, however there is mold, missing insultation, a water leak and there was also a recent kidnapping attempt in neighborhood. Anayeli is a stay at home mother and Rigoberto is a General Laborer for Precast Supply Company. They have four children, 10-year-old Lovely, 4-year-old Nelly, 3-year-old Romina and 1-year old Rigo. Anayeli has a sister and mother who have a Habitat home.

yesenia

Yesenia and her children were in Transitional Housing for two years with Cooperative Christian Ministries (CCM) and she had moved into an income-based apartment. She learned about the program through a Habitat Cabarrus Interest Meeting she attended the prior year. She stated that while being in CCM for 2 years she worked very hard to fix her credit and save money. She had very low income to debt ratio and was the perfect candidate for the Habitat program.  Habitat Cabarrus dedicated a home on January 26, 2023 for the single mother of  Genesis and Gian.  Welcome Home Yesenia!

kea

Kea is a single mother of  Keeven. She is an Asst. Manager at Its Fashion Metro and our newest Habitat Homeowner! Kea looks forward to providing a stable and loving home for her son when he can thrive.  She is grateful to everyone that made it happen, and was especially thankful to the weekday warriors who worked by her side building her home.

tanika

Tanika had been living in public housing for 16 years and desired to have a home of her own. She moved from a home that did not provide enough space, there was mold growing in the upstairs bathroom, the ceiling in the dining room leaked and animals rummaged through her trash. There was also a lot of “traffic” in her neighborhood. Tanika is an Environmental Services Worker at Atrium Health. Her daughter Shawniyah is 16 and they now live in a lovely three bedroom home of their own that they both worked diligently on from the time they got into the program!

Brittany

Brittany pays over 30% of her income on monthly rent costs and she would much rather like to contribute finances to a home she owns rather than rent. She believes owning a home will provide her with more stability. She is a single mother to a 10-year-old named Khalil. She is a Business Development Rep at Hendrick Dodge. Brittany received a very good landlord reference and has a low income to debt ratio.

ciera

Prior to her new home, Ciera and her two children ages 10 and 12, lived in income based
housing. Although she has been grateful for the opportunity, the small apartment is not in good
condition. There are holes throughout the small apartment which allow for insects to come in. There is
also mold present in the apartment. She reports that no matter how much you clean it never leaves and
the apartment complex has not resolved the issue. Ciera and her children have struggled to cope with
their current living situation.
Ciera learned about Habitat Cabarrus’ Home ownership program from two homeowners, Jackie
and her Aunt Zula. They both encouraged her to apply for the program many times. When asked about
her time in the program she stated, “It was one of the best life changing opportunities I have ever
experienced. One of my goals for my life was to become a homeowner but I didn’t have any clear
direction as to how I would be able to do so until I ran across the homeowners in the program and that
is when I finally found the vision of possibly being a homeowner.”
Ciera reports that she has gained so much from the process because she has learned so much.
The most challenging part about being in the program for her has been trying to find balance in her life
between the program, her job and children. She said as she began to adjust, it became a thrill for her
because of how many things she was able to learn and experience firsthand. She enjoys learning new
skills on the construction site. “My first time, I was so nervous and had no clue of what to do,” she said.
With guidance from the Site Supervisor she learned different techniques and how to use the tools in the
right way. What she loves the most about being on the site is working with the volunteers, other
homeowners and the bonds they’ve built.
When asked about Financial Peace University, she stated that it is very helpful. “I learned a lot
and it is definitely a good guide to follow. It helps and broke down so much information that you
wouldn’t think it would work but It does when you take time to actually do it.”
Ciera says that her and her children are completely ready to for the change. They can finally be
in a safe environment and they get to personalize their own space the way they’d like. “I’m excited
because all my hard work has finally turned into blessings that I didn’t expect to receive so soon,” she
says.
It means so much to Ciera to be able to see her dream of Home ownership come to fruition. She
reports that she is so thankful for the opportunity and shares it with all of her friends. She says the
program has changed her life as she’s become more disciplined and knows that it will open even more
opportunities for her. She plans to open her own business and to help her children do so as well to
ensure their future financial stability.

Photography by:

Monslo

Monslo is a Patient Service Specialist with Atrium. She has four children, ages 21, 17, 12 and 3. While pregnant with her fourth son, Monslo met a Habitat Cabarrus Board member, Therese, who asked for coupons to assist with a fundraiser. Monslo asked a few questions about the program and applied shortly after. Her former living space was overcrowded as she was sharing a room with her three year old and they were all sharing one bathroom. What should be a dining room was a play area for the then three-year old. The community she resided in was not family friendly. They did not want children outside playing unless an adult is supervising the entire time. Monslo and her family were also encountering substandard living conditions. There was mold in the rental and her children have Asthma. She was constantly worried about their health and trying to prevent them from getting sick.

Monslo now has a better living situation for her and her children and is grateful to have been selected for Habitat Cabarrus’ Home ownership program. When asked about her experience in the program, she said that you have to motivate and have pep talks with yourself to get out of bed on a cold day or a hot day. Sometimes you feel like you’re going to pass out from the heat or get freezer burn from being out in the cold for hours. She says that when she thinks about owning her own home it makes her put a little pep in her step and push on! “I thought it would be easy but boy it’s hard work and a lot of dedication but well worth it in the end,” she stated.

When asked how she felt about the Financial Peace University classes, she stated that they have worked for her. “I learned so much about my financial hardship. I learned to turn it around and live a little better,” she reported. “Learning how to save put me and my family in a better situation and we’re not living pay check to pay check.” She stated that she was surprised that she was able to pay off her credit cards and save money for family vacations. She is even teaching her sons the value of a dollar.

As  a homeowner, her former worries became irrelevant. She no longer has to worry about getting notes on the door or have neighbors complaining because her children playing outside. Nor does she have to worry about her children’s health. She is grateful to be living in a home she calls her own.

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