Helem is a very determined, hardworking, and dedicated mother of three, who will do anything for her children. Her daughters are aged eleven and two, and her son is five. They love to cook and bake together, and they love to go to the zoo. Helem has worked in the probation department at the courthouse for five years.

Currently the family lives in a small two-bedroom apartment. Her car has been broken into several times while parked outside the apartment, so she doesn’t feel safe letting the children go out to play. They also don’t have a space where they can just be kids. Although the apartment is small, the rent is close to $1,000 per month, and it is continually rising. It also has mold issues. Helem felt stuck and didn’t think she would ever be able to become a homeowner.

One of her co-workers at the courthouse, a current Habitat homeowner, told her about the program. She applied but didn’t believe she would be approved. When she found out she had been accepted into the program, she was delighted, and her eleven-year-old daughter cried tears of joy when she found out that they would soon be living in their own house.

Being the sole source of support for her family, working full-time, and being a full-time mom, Helem knows that time is valuable. Taking the required classes and completing the 300 hours of sweat equity has been a challenge and being away from her children for those additional hours is difficult. However, Helem knows that this will mean a better future for them. She loves going to the classes, which have taught her many life lessons as well as practical skills, including financial management. She also enjoys volunteering at the Re-Store and loves the staff and other Habitat homeowners who are also volunteering there.

Helem and her children are looking forward to homeownership. Her kids will finally have a yard to play in, and her oldest daughter has already chosen the colors for her room. She is looking forward to hosting a family cookout, something she has never been able to do before. Helem is very grateful for her sponsor, the volunteers working on the home, and the Habitat program. She says, “I’m so thankful for them giving me and my children this opportunity.”