Gredel is a dedicated, determined young mother of three small children, ages six, three, and two. She also works full-time as a CNA in senior facilities. She loves her children and her patients. When she was growing up, her family moved frequently, so she never truly had a place to call home. She was determined to give her kids the stability of a permanent home.
She and her children have lived in apartments until recently.The constantly rising rent and utility bills have made it necessary to move back in with her mom. In addition, the apartments were often poorly maintained. Her mother’s home is crowded for all of them.
Gredel learned about Habitat through her coworkers. Several of the nurses and other CNA’s have Habitat homes, and they encouraged her to apply. She was hesitant because she was afraid she wouldn’t be approved. She first applied in 2021 but was turned down.The staff at Habitat worked with her and helped her figure out what she needed to do to be approved. After being turned down a second time, she wanted to give up, but she continued to work on her roadblocks, and she was finally approved. She says that the news that she had been accepted was “the best feeling ever.” Her six-year-old daughter did a spontaneous cartwheel when she heard the news.
It took awhile for Gredel to adjust to being in the program. Taking care of her three children and working full-time, in addition to completing her 300 hours of sweat equity has been a real challenge. There have been days when she feels exhausted, but she presses on, because she knows “it’s going to be worth it.” She loves completing her hours at the Re-Store, and she has also enjoyed the required classes. The classes on personal finance and estate planning have been especially valuable. She also loves the Core Crew that is working on her new home. It amazes her that they are out there every day to help others– just because they care.
She can hardly wait to move into her new home. She looks forward to planting a garden, hosting family get-togethers, and seeing her children in a stable home. She is so grateful to everyone involved in helping her– the Habitat staff and the volunteers. She also loves the extended family she has found among current and future Habitat homeowners. She says that it feels as if they are one big family.