For this future Habitat homeowner, the dream of a stable, permanent place to call home has always felt just out of reach. As a single parent, she has spent years doing what so many hardworking families do—doing her best to stay afloat and provide for her child. But now, thanks to Habitat for Humanity and the generous support of volunteers and donors, she’s stepping into a new chapter—one built on hope and community.

Life Before Habitat

Since January 2022, Jessica and her 8-year-old son Kieren have been living in a four-storey apartment building—expensive, cramped, and increasingly unreliable. “It’s always been expensive, and it’s getting more expensive every year,” she shared. But the real cost wasn’t just financial - it was emotional. The small, often broken washer and dryer units meant weekly trips to her parents’ house just to do laundry.

This apartment was the longest her son had lived anywhere. In just seven years, he had moved four times. “He has never been able to feel like a home or even a bedroom is fully his,” she said. “You have to find ways to feel comfortable in the beige box without changing too much.” That’s why homeownership feels so significant: it’s not just a roof over their heads—it’s a foundation for the future.

Why Homeownership Matters

“I’ve never had a place I could really call my own,” she said. “I’ve always lived with family or in rentals where you can’t put too many things on the wall. I’m excited to finally create a space that truly feels like home.”

For her, owning a home through Habitat is more than personal—it’s generational. It’s about giving her son something she never had: a hometown. “I grew up in a military family. I never thought I’d be lucky enough to have a hometown,” she reflected. “Now I get to provide that for my son.”

A Family Effort

Building a Habitat home requires commitment, and she’s not in it alone. Her son is ready to roll up his sleeves alongside her. “It’s important to me that we work toward this goal as a family,” she said. “He’s hoping to learn new skills—or even work with animals—to help earn our 500 volunteer hours.”

Looking Ahead

What are Jessica and Kieren most looking forward to once they move in? The little things that mean everything. “Letting my son go outside to play anytime he wants. There’s green space right outside, and other kids his age in the neighbourhood. He’s very social, and I know he’ll love that.”

Homeownership means putting an end to survival mode and starting to truly live. “We’ve just been putting one foot in front of the other for so long,” she said. “Our home will provide us the stability to start living—not just surviving.”

A Message of Thanks

To the volunteers, donors, and everyone who made this dream a reality, her message is simple but heartfelt:

“Thank you. I had given up on ever owning a home. As a single parent, building a downpayment while keeping our heads above water felt impossible. You made the impossible possible.”

Advice for Others

If you’re thinking about applying for a Habitat home, she has one word for you: Apply.

“I almost didn’t. The website said applications were closed, and I even got an email confirming that. But months later, I got a message asking if I was still interested. It’s a journey, but it’s so worth it.”

A New Chapter Begins

This Habitat home is more than walls and a roof—it’s a promise of a better tomorrow. It’s a place where her son can finally decorate his own room. A place where family builds Lego together, watches silly animal videos, and enjoys summer adventures. A place to grow, to breathe, and to thrive.

From uncertainty to community, from temporary to permanent—this is what Habitat for Humanity makes possible. One home, one family, one future at a time.