Brenda is a faith-filled, hard-working mother and grandmother. She has been the guardian for her ten-year-old grandson, Jesiah Elijah, and has taken care of him since he was born. Brenda was raised by her grandmother, and she is determined to do her best for Jesiah. He is full of energy and keeps her on her toes.
Brenda is a seamstress at Anchor Industries, where she has been employed for about ten years. She has always done the best she could for her family, but it has been a struggle being a single mom. However, she has persevered.
Currently she is renting a home that is over 100 years old and has not been well-maintained. Many things in the home need constant repair. She looks forward to having a home of her own, where things will be easier to maintain. “What a blessing it will be to wake up in our new home.”
Brenda has become much busier since becoming part of Habitat, but she says, “It has been so worth it.” Now she has the required Habitat classes as well as the commitment of 300 hours of “sweat equity.” She has enjoyed her volunteer hours at The Potters Wheel. She says, ”I know what it’s like to be hungry and in need, so I want to put a smile on someone’s face.”
Brenda looks forward to having a vegetable garden in her own yard. She wants to plant a willow tree. Jesiah can’t wait to decorate his own room. Habitat means that they will have something that is theirs and that she will be able to pass along to her grandson. She has been very excited to see others in Habitat close on their homes and get their keys. Seeing them at their home dedications energizes her and keeps her going.
She is very grateful to her sponsors and to all the volunteers working on her home. She says, “I want them to know how thankful I am to them for being the answer to my prayers… God is amazing.”