Success Story

This sentiment is especially meaningful for Nathan and Brittany. After more than a decade of living in loved one’s homes and transitional housing, they and their two children, Maddox, 10, and Kaelanii, 7, have a place to call their own: A safe, decent, affordable Habitat for Humanity home.

Like so many individuals, Nathan and Brittany dreamed of becoming homeowners and spent years working to purchase a house. Nathan grew up moving from place to place and at one point lived in a small, cramped house with 12 other people. More than anything, the couple longed to give their children a safe, stable home where they could be secure.

Though they saved and made efforts to reduce their debt, the couple could not afford a home. Nathan and Brittany applied to Habitat and once approved took classes to learn how to manage their finances and invested hundreds of hours working alongside volunteers to build their home and those of other Habitat families.

Nathan, Brittany, Maddox and Kaelanii moved into their home earlier this year. Their children have their own rooms, a yard to play and lots of neighborhood friends, whose parents are also Habitat homeowners. The children are excited and hope to soon adopt a cat.

These loving parents say the most important part of this process has been giving their children the chance to thrive in a safe, comfortable home and a new community.

“My hope for my kids is that they learn how to navigate the world with joy — and to not live in fear, anxiety or stress,” Nathan says. “We now think of our home as a plant that we are going to take care of and watch grow. We are so grateful.”