I was a homeless single mom because of domestic violence in late 1997.  I first found out about the Self Help Housing Program while I was living at one of Housing Hope’s low-income housing sites in 1999.  The thought of contributing the required 30 hours per week to fulfill the obligation (sweat equity) in addition to being a single mom of two children and working full-time was too much to even consider at that time.  I didn’t see how I could do it, so I put it out of my mind.

It wasn’t until almost two years later when I heard that there were application openings in an area where I wanted to live.  I took a chance … and applied.  When I found out that I qualified, I was ecstatic and terrified all at the same time.

Now I had to find a way to keep up with all the requirements.  I went to everyone I knew and asked for help.  I was very fortunate to have friends, family and a local church with folks that were willing to help.  Not only did I need help with the required hours, I also needed help watching my children every weekend while I was out there working.

Every weekend for 12 months and 3 weeks I was out there hammering, framing, sawing, sheeting floors and roofs, painting outside and inside, climbing ladders, hanging siding, windows, insulation, cabinets and doors, trimming doorways, dealing with all kinds of weather conditions…all while watching my home come together step by step.

I sacrificed a lot of time with my two small children, but I brought them out to see the progress every chance I got.  They got to watch it come together and by the time the bedrooms were built, they each knew which one was their own.

But, I wasn’t only building a home.  I was building a community, working together with my nine neighbors and their families to create our neighborhood.  We built relationships that have grown into lasting friendships.  We shared watching our kids while we were out there building and to this day, we continue to look out for each other.  It was great getting to know my neighbors during that year, we were all experiencing the same things, and we went through a lot together.  I learned who was dependable, who wasn’t, who was trustworthy or not.  You don’t get that when you just go out and buy a home.  By the time we moved into our homes we new a lot about each other and ourselves.

The day I got the keys to my home was a day I will never forget!  It was awesome!  It was a long hard road but ever so worth it.  I have been in my home now for almost four years and there still isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t feel a huge sense of pride and accomplishment.  I walk through the door every night after work with my kids and know that I constructed this “home” for my family.  I know there would not have been any other way I could have done it without the Self Help Housing Program.  I am so grateful for the opportunity I had with this program.  I moved into the home with equity and it is continually growing.  It is the most valuable material asset I have and I am so proud to be able to provide for my children “our very own home”.