Janet’s lifetime dream has been owning her own home. She worked at Berry Plastics for over twenty years, but is retired now. She was almost certain that her chance for home ownership had passed, but she was delighted to discover that it hadn’t. She learned about Habitat from her son’s girlfriend and was so excited when she was accepted into the program! She says, “It was like a dream come true.”

Janet’s children are grown. She also has two grandchildren and a dog. She loves to spend time with her family and to take walks around her neighborhood. However, she doesn’t feel safe in her current neighborhood. She lives in a small apartment and has moved frequently because of rising rents. That makes it hard to know her neighbors. She is looking forward to being in a Habitat neighborhood because she already knows the people. “It is like a family.”

Janet has worked at the Re-Store and worked on other Habitat houses to complete her hours of sweat equity and community service. At first it was tough because of the number of hours she spent either at the store or at the houses. But she has adjusted, and has loved getting to know everyone at Habitat and the other future homeowners. She is so thankful for all the people she has met along the way. “We’ve cried together and laughed together.” She feels as though she now has her own “Habitat family.”

In addition to her volunteer hours, she has enjoyed the classes she has taken. The “Fear No More” class has been especially meaningful. Going through these classes with others who are working toward the same dream of homeownership has also been helpful.

Having this home will mean that she will have something to leave to her kids and grandkids. She will also have a tremendous feeling of accomplishment. Janet looks forward to having a yard and being able to plant a flower garden. She also looks forward to having a place where she can host holidays at her house and the family can be together. She can’t wait to be able to hide Easter eggs for the kids at her own house. Currently, she doesn’t have a place where she can just sit outside and enjoy a beautiful day. Soon, she will have that.

Janet is so grateful for Habitat and for the chance it has given her to accomplish her dream. “I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart and give every one of them a hug.”