-
Meet House 1 Homebuyer:
How did you learn about the Habitat homeownership program?
I first heard about Habitat for Humanity 7-8 years ago after moving to Alexandria. I was looking for housing resources as I was looking to find a decent place to live. I went online and searched for housing resources in Alexandria and Habitat for Humanity came up. When I received a phone call from Denise informing me that I had been officially selected to partner with Habitat for Humanity, it took a minute or two to realize that my life was going to change for the better. I was excited, flabbergasted, and I was speechless. When I finally regained my bearings, I called my best friend and shouted the news!
What motivated you to apply?
I wanted to have a place to call my own, where I don’t need to worry about a landlord coming into my home when I’m not there. I live in a neighborhood that has been known as the “bad part of town” and I want to have a safe space for me and my son.
Tell us about your family.
I am a Certified Peer Support Specialist 2 and Mental Health Practitioner. I work with adults who are struggling with their mental health, teach coping skills, and find resources when needed. I provide a place a safety and hope for those that need support. I am a single mom of a beautiful little boy! We also have a four-year-old boxer named Loki, a guinea pig named Stitch, and two gerbils named Spunky and Spaz. We enjoy being together, playing outside, drawing and painting, playing games, and reading.
What are you looking forward to about owning your own home? How do you think your life will change?
The most exciting part of owning my own home is not wasting money on paying rent and that I can put that money into my own equity and home for the future. I am going to love hosting and having friends come over when I want without the worry of getting a violation from the management company. I am looking forward to the security of owning my own home. Someplace safe for me to relax and live, not just survive. My life has already changed! When we do move in, having a space to make my own will boost my mental health. The home will be more functional than my current living situation, give me a more organized space to thrive in, and I will have the ability to “tinker” in the shop (aka garage) as this is something I enjoy doing.
-
Meet the House 2 Homebuyer:
How did you learn about the Habitat homeownership program?
I assisted with a build a few years ago with the Greater Alexandria Area Association of REALTORS® and fell in love with how much it meant to that family -- just the look on their faces said it all of how grateful they were. It was such a positive experience helping others in such a positive environment.
What motivated you to apply?
I have been searching for a house for about a year and nothing was even close to a single mom with three kids on a budget. I felt like I wasn’t able to provide anything more than a small apartment for them, so I started to research other options and remembered the build with Habitat. I told myself, why not? So, I went online and Habitat was graciously accepting applications! There was finally a glimmer of hope as I started the application process.
Tell us about your family.
I work for Douglas County during the week, and part-time at Pike and Pint waitressing and bartending. I have two boys and a girl who are all very outgoing and happy kids. They enjoy a variety of sports, gaming, Cub Scouts, and anything to do with swimming. My oldest son is a natural when it comes to sports, a great big brother, and has just taken up Orchestra playing the violin. My youngest son is a kind, sweet-hearted soul, very easygoing, and looks up to his big brother so much! He is extremely engaged in school – thoroughly enjoying science experiments, loves to learn new skills, is friends with everyone, and will always be the first one to try new things. My daughter is a true warrior! She was born with congenital heart disease which ended up in heart failure and endured so much before her 1st birthday. We almost lost her too many times. After a few surgeries and LVADS, we didn’t know how much longer we had with her so the doctors put her on the heart transplant list. She was BLESSED on January 24, 2020, at just two months old with a new heart. She has been a true fighter since birth and has gained a whole new level of confidence as she travels every six months for check-ups on her heart and other health concerns down to The Mayo in Rochester. That entire continued experience has shaped my children and me in so many ways that we have a new outlook on life, love, and family.
What are you looking forward to about owning your own home? How do you think your life will change?
We cannot wait just to have grass under our feet, eat popsicles outside in the summer, and have a family game night in the living room! The thought of having a house soon brings so much more peace in our lives knowing we will now have a permanent foundation and a place to call home. The weight will be lifted off of our shoulders, as we now will have OUR own place. We are all very blessed and will continue to give back to this amazing community as it has helped us so much already.
What would you like to share with people helping to build your home?
We are extremely blessed to have so many amazing people helping us. From every nail to every ounce of sweat we will forever be grateful to each and every one of you and we never forget this entire experience as it will give my children and myself an actual home, that has enough bedrooms for us and space to run outside.
-
Meet the House 3 Homebuyer:
How did you learn about the Habitat homeownership program?
I have always known about Habitat for Humanity but did not know much about the details.
What motivated you to apply?
I had been searching for a home to buy for about a year but could never seem to find anything reasonable that wouldn’t require a lot of work. Someone mentioned it could be worth apply so I wouldn’t be stuck renting and could have something more permanent for my son and I.
Tell us about your family.
I come from a large family and was born and raised in Alexandria. My son was born earlier this year. Currently I work for Douglas County and previously worked at Heartland Orthopedics.
What are you looking forward to about owning your own home? How do you think your life will change?
I look forward to creating a warm home for friends and family to visit as well as creating lasting memories with my son. I am elated to have a place to call mine.
What would you like to share with people helping to build your home?
I would like to thank each and every person that has been involved in selecting me for this opportunity, all the people that will be volunteering and building my home, and everyone along the way. I am so appreciative for every hand that will help make this a possibility for me.
-
Meet the House 4 Homebuyer:
How did you learn about the Habitat homeownership program?
I first heard about Habitat for Humanity through a lifelong friend who was involved in building homes even before I ever considered applying. I remember watching their journey and being inspired by the transformation — not just of a house, but of a life. When my own family reached a point where we truly needed something stable and lasting, I realized that Habitat could be that life-changing opportunity. It was comforting to know that this program existed, especially knowing someone close to me had experienced its impact firsthand. It gave me hope that maybe this was the right step forward for us too.
What motivated you to apply?
My children were my biggest motivation. As a single mother of three, I’ve always dreamed of giving them a safe, stable place to call home — not just now, but forever. The idea of owning a brand new home, something I helped build from the ground up, felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. For me, this is about so much more than bricks and walls — it’s about breaking generational cycles of addiction and instability. This home is a foundation not just for shelter, but for healing, growth, and creating a legacy of strength and resilience for my children. It’s a symbol of hope and progress.
Tell us about your family.
I work at American Solutions for Business in Sales Support. My role is all about helping others — making sure our clients and sales teams have what they need to succeed. It’s fast-paced and always changing, but I love that it challenges me and helps me grow. It’s rewarding to be part of a company that values support and collaboration, and I carry those same values into my personal life. I’m a proud single mom of three amazing kids. My daughter has autism — she is strong, smart, and teaches me something new every day. My boys are full of energy and light up every room they enter. We’re a tight-knit little team. Outside of work, I enjoy being outdoors and learning new things — whether it's gardening, exploring, or just spending time in nature. But my main focus is always on my children. I strive every day to give them the best life I can while also pushing myself to grow in my career. Balancing both isn’t always easy, but everything I do is for them.
What are you looking forward to about owning your own home? How do you think your life will change?
Well, no more stairs — just kidding (but seriously, that's a bonus)! In all honesty, moving into our Habitat home will be life-changing. For the first time, we won’t be renting — we’ll be planting roots. We’ll have the space to learn, grow, and simply be ourselves without the fear of having to move again. Right now, our living space is very limited. We don’t have a yard where the kids can safely play or plant a garden, and inside our home, there are so many constraints that keep my children from fully thriving. This new home will remove those barriers and open doors for them — literally and figuratively.
What would you like to share with people helping to build your home?
From the bottom of my heart — thank you. What you’re doing is nothing short of a miracle for families like mine. You're not just building a house; you're building a future, a safe haven, a place where laughter will echo and memories will be made. Your hard work and generosity are changing lives — not just mine, but the lives of my children and the generations after them. This isn’t a small act; it’s a life-altering gift, and I will carry the gratitude for it with me every single day. We’ll never forget what you’ve done for us.
-
Meet the House 5 Homebuyer:
How did you learn about the Habitat homeownership program?
I found out about Habitat sometime last year when I was searching for housing options. I was trying to buy a house but quickly discovered that was not possible with myself alone.
What motivated you to apply?
When I was reading the website about all that Habitat does as well as the homebuyers, it motivated me to apply. I liked how positive and encouraging things came across on the website, so I applied to learn more about the program as well as the process. The program gives people like my family a chance to have a house to call home.
Tell us about your family.
I work at Alomere Hospital doing clinical scheduling for providers. I am also in the “grow your own program” and was selected from the applicants to go back to school to become a Respiratory Therapist. I am currently finishing my first year of school and in the fall I will be starting my second year. My kids and I moved to Minnesota in 2022. We moved to be closer to my mom as well as her and my stepdad who said we would really like Alexandria. They were right - we absolutely love it here. I have four children, two girls and two boys. They have really adapted and love the winters here as well as sports. My girls took snowboarding lessons in which they have found their new favorite winter sport. My son tried wrestling and has been hooked ever since. My daughter loves to play sports, especially soccer. My son loves sports, but he hasn’t tried any yet. They all enjoy all the kids activities that Alexandria and surrounding areas offer. I take the kids to attend as much as we can. They absolutely love the youth outdoors day that is in the summer. My kids and I enjoy being active, walking or riding bikes on the trails.
What are you looking forward to about owning your own home? How do you think your life will change?
Making it our own is what I am looking forward to. We currently live in an apartment which means you can’t put your own touch on things to make it your own. I’m looking forward to having a place the kids can call home. The kids like our apartment but they want a home they can grow up in and have the height measurements marked on the wall as they grow. I think it will change for the better. My kids and I have been through a lot which left a negative impact on a home for the kids. The kids want a house to make their space their own and I’m so thankful that we have that opportunity. I am glad to be able to create a space that is theirs, a safe and loving home that will be ours.
What would you like to share with people helping to build your home?
Thank you for taking the time to help build a home for my family. We greatly appreciate it. I hope to see you out there on build days to thank you in person.
