*Names changed to protect family’s confidentiality
Dear Habitat Lake County Supporter,
My name is Marcella, and I am a dedicated mother of two amazing children—my 16-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter. I work at a Therapeutic Day School in Highland Park where I support children who have experienced trauma and have significant cognitive disabilities. Every day, I get to see these children grow and learn, and it always makes me so happy and proud to see them progress.
I wanted to share my story with you because it wouldn’t have been possible without amazing people like you opening your hearts.
In 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I decided to take a chance on myself and apply for Habitat Lake County’s Homeownership Program. It was a time when the world slowed down, and we all reevaluated what truly matters. For many people, it changed the way they lived life, looked at life, and experienced life. As a society, our values, wants, and needs started to change. For me, it became clear that finding a way to homeownership—finding a way to a place where my kids could feel safe and truly at home—was something I wanted more than anything in the world.
When I received the life-changing call that I had been accepted into the Homeownership Program, it marked the beginning of an incredible journey. From day one, I embraced every opportunity to learn and grow. I participated in over 40 financial literacy classes, ranging from budgeting, saving, and building credit. These skills helped me not only prepare for homeownership but also gave me more confidence to manage my family’s finances.
In June 2022, we broke ground on our home and the real work began. Along the way, I also worked alongside some incredible volunteers from all walks of life. I have learned so much along the way that I seriously never thought I would. The people that have shared their time and words of encouragement—I could never be able to cover it with a “Thank you”.
In February 2023, my children and I moved into a place we now proudly call our own. Since then, our house has truly become a home. The smile on my daughter’s face when she walks into our home is truly priceless, and hearing my son inviting his friends over to ‘hang out in his room’ is so refreshing to hear. Creating this safe space for my family has been life-changing.
To know that there are people out there that don’t know my background, my story, and my children, and yet still want to help build our home is beyond me. It has shown me just how much people really care. I cannot stress enough all the impact that your support has on families like mine. Never doubt that what you’re doing with Habitat Lake County changes lives. We are living proof that it does.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Marcella
Proud Habitat Lake County Homeowner
You make it possible.
Thank you to all of our supporters who walk hand-in-hand with families like the Johnson’s to make their dreams a reality. You cannot imagine the impact you have had on the lives of people in our community.