more than just a house
Creating Community
The shared experience of building their home with Habitat fostered a sense of community for Naomi, Rena, Le’Asia, and Brianna who met at their first homebuyer meeting. They immediately developed a support network, often working on each other’s’ homes. Soon they will be neighbors as they grow into their homes and their new community.
“Because of the donors, because somebody decided they had enough time on a Saturday morning, my kids will have their forever home.”
Meet Bri
Brianna "Bri" Suggs works at a school in Bond Hill. She has one daughter named Amina. "I am a mom who enjoys exploring new places and learning new things," says Brianna. "Amina is very interested in exploring new things as well and she has lots of energy." They love listening to music, dancing, reading, and trying tasty foods. Bri is currently enrolled at the University of Dayton pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership. "My [current] living situation is cramped as we are living in a one-bedroom apartment," says Bri. "Additionally, affordability is significantly important to me as I am paying for school out of pocket and a single mother providing sole care of my daughter." Bri says that her home will be a place of security, happiness, memories, and love. This will be a chance for her to create generational wealth and financial opportunities. "I want to take part in establishing my own home and the community I will be living in,” says Bri.
Because of Habitat, I was able to go back to nursing school and feel confident to not have to worry about the market of rent.
Being able to donate your time, donate finances, really is transformative for the communities that we live in and for the generations to come.
Meet Le'Asia
Le'Asia is a disabled veteran with a background in HR. But throughout her time in the military and with her own personal experiences, she was inspired to pursue healthcare. She starts this fall at Good Samaritan College of Nursing. Le'Asia has two children: Mason and Madison. Mason is 8 years old and enjoys sprots and learning. He was recently accepted into the Gifted Program at school. Madison is 5 years old and enjoys playing princesses. "We love being together, having movie nights, doing crafts, and finding an adventure," says Le'Asia. She's most looking forward to making memories in their new home. "I absolutely cannot wait to create memories in our home," she says. "From cooking in our kitchen to projects at our table and the creative expression that comes with homeownership."
I want to be a role model to other people who have been through what I've been through.
Meet Rena
Rena has been a STNA nurse aide for 19 years. "I love what I do, it works well for my kids, and I never get tired of it!" She has 3 kids and describes her family as "outdoor people." They love to visit the Banks in Downtown Cincinnati and see the ducks at Eden Park. "We're a pretty close-knit family," she says. This is going to be a fresh start for Rena and her family. "I'm very blessed. I'm a very Godly person. God does things for a reason," says Rena. "It's been kind of rough." The last place they were renting was sold by their landlord. They finally found a new apartment but, like many Cincinnatians, are paying a super high rent. Rena is excited about having more space. They currently live in a 2-bedroom apartment, and Rena's mom also lives with them. She can't wait for them to each have their own space. "They're all going to have their own rooms. [I'm excited for them] to decide how they want to decorate." "I've always wanted to buy my own home," says Rena. "God put me here. I was very excited to get the call. I was teary-eyed. I'm just blessed to have this opportunity."
Looking back, I am extremely grateful for the closed doors because it led me to this moment and is setting my family up for unimaginable success.
Meet Naomi
She currently works at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. She has a one-year-old daughter named Bailey Blair, who enjoys singing and dancing. "Growing up my family was extremely close," says Naomi. "[We] would get together at least weekly for various events. I am hoping to build similar family traditions with my daughter and stress the importance of love." Naomi attended Xavier University and received a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration with a minor in business. After graduation she attended an online AAPC course and is now a Certified Professional Coder. She was attending Xavier's MBA program but took a break due to pregnancy. She is looking forward to going back once she and Bailey have more stability. "My living situation has been fairly stressful and overwhelming due to overcrowding and lack of control," says Naomi. They currently live with Naomi's mother, who Naomi has a great relationship with, but she is ready to branch out and get her own space. Her brother and his six children also live in the house, so it can get crowded and hectic. Naomi needs a space of peace for when she works from home. "Prior to applying for Habitat, I had been house searching for over a year; however, the market was bad and only getting worse as time went on," Naomi says. "Any house within my budget would have been a fixer-upper and in no condition to bring a newborn baby into. I literally had door after door closed on me & it was not looking too bright. Looking back, I am extremely grateful for the closed doors because it led me to this moment and is setting my family up for unimaginable success!"
You can make a difference.
Because of donors and volunteers like you, we are creating communities and bonds are forming all over.
