Since moving into her Habitat for Humanity home in Denver’s Cole neighborhood, Raven has planted garden peas, lavender, blueberry bushes, sunflowers –and high hopes for her 5-year-old son’s future.
“What makes me thankful is that our home will mean stability and a much better life for my son,” shares Raven. “I know my son and I will have a home forever.”
Raven, a customer service representative at a healthcare company, has lived with her mother most of her life. After she adopted her son, who has autism, she and her son shared a room at her mother’s home, sleeping in bunk beds. “I was looking for a house for two years. It was miserable,” shares Raven. “I have great credit, but I couldn’t get approved for anything but a condo. My son loves to jump and bounce. And we both needed more room.”
Raven’s mother bought a Habitat for Humanity home when Raven was a child and Raven initially assumed she couldn’t get a Habitat home too. She applied several times, and then qualified after she got a raise.
Raven took homeownership classes as part of the Habitat program, and she found them very valuable – she had never paid utility bills or taxes, and knew little about budgeting or home repairs.
“The ‘How To Be a Good Neighbor” class was super helpful because I’m introverted,” shares Raven. “I know all my neighbors’ names now and I have their numbers. A home is more than just a place you live.”
For her sweat equity hours, Raven worked at the ReStore restocking shelves, testing donated items, and helping customers.
“Our home means stability”
– Shares Raven
She and her son, Prince, moved into their Habitat home on Prince’s 5th birthday. It was the ultimate birthday surprise – Prince didn’t know that their home closing was happening until that morning! Now, he has a lifelong memory of the day their lives changed for good.
Prince and Raven love their new community – which includes several parks nearby. Prince now has other children to play cars with, shares Raven. They take their dog, Panda, on long walks. And with the space in their new home, Raven dreams of welcoming more children into her home through foster care.
“I love helping people,” shares Raven. “Habitat is so inspiring that way. I tell everyone how wonderful Habitat is.”
