"Keep Going, Keep Moving:" Taleah's Journey

“It’s really happening,” says Taleah. “I’m going to be a homeowner.”

For years, Taleah has faced challenges in her current living situation—flooding that led to mold in the ceiling, loud music from neighbors at all hours, and complaints about her autistic child’s stimming. On top of that, the space is simply too small for her growing family. Taleah and her four children, ages 9 months to 7 years, currently share a two-bedroom apartment.

Every week, Taleah drives her kids past their future home to show them the progress. The excitement builds with each visit. “My kids are happy. My kids are ready—ready for the bigger space, ready for the backyard,” she says.

“It’s a blessing,” Taleah adds. Whenever she had doubts, she reminded herself, “This is God’s way of showing you it’s your time. Keep going, keep moving…I’m not going to give up.”

She credits her family for keeping her motivated throughout the process. “Everyone was like, ‘I’m happy for you—you deserve it, go for it.’” It was her aunt who encouraged her to apply for Habitat’s homeownership program, even when Taleah wasn’t sure she’d qualify. Now, she encourages other women in similar situations to do the same: “Try it out. It’s worth it. You never know the outcome.”

Participating in the construction of her own home was a powerful experience. Taleah learned how capable she truly is and gained confidence as a first-time homeowner. “He gave me a rundown on the house—how the outside was built, the foundation, what they used. It was wonderful.”

Taleah’s home was built through Habitat’s Real Estate Community Build and Women Build projects, which has inspired her to empower herself and others. "It being a Women Build site empowered me to keep moving forward," she said, “It taught me a lot -- on how to paint, on how to lay floor, on how to do drywall, they let me put the bathroom together -- it was a big impact.”

Taleah also shared her journey on social media where she “empowered a lot of women to apply.” Her openness has also connected her with other Habitat homeowners, including a new neighbor just across the street. “She had seen me one day working on the house and she ended up inboxing me on Facebook…and me and her talk back and forth."

Buying this home will be lifechanging for Taleah and her family. Not only will it provide newfound stability and independence, but it has also already allowed her to find a beautiful, welcoming community in other Habitat homeowners.