Shevieve’s sister recently sent her a video from the early days in her Habitat home — a simple clip of kids laughing and playing in the living room. That moment, now frozen in time, reflects what would become a rhythm in this home: family gathered together, love and joy echoing through a space she could finally call her own.
Ten years ago, Shevieve, or “Shevy,” and her 10-year-old daughter, Krimzin, moved into their home at Habitat’s Sheridan Square community. Shevy’s first task? Painting the walls in various hues of blue, maroon – even orange! She loved the feeling of ownership it brought to her. “I was so excited I could do whatever I wanted,” she said.
Homeownership was a lifelong goal for Shevy. Before partnering with Habitat Metro Denver, she often stressed over what to do when leases ended — whether they’d be renewed and how much rental costs would increase. When she became a homeowner in 2016, that uncertainty changed to stability, creating space for growth in every area of her life.
With a consistent, affordable housing payment, Shevy was able to focus on building her career, strengthening her community connections, and planning for the future with confidence. That confidence didn’t happen overnight. Over the past decade, she has advanced in her work as a community services professional, earning promotions and stepping into new roles that allow her to support others working toward stability of their own. While her income has grown, her housing costs have remained the same — enabling her to save, invest, and build long-term financial security.
Financial knowledge is one of the things about affordable homeownership that has impacted her the most, Shevy says. When she was buying her home, a former Habitat staff member worked with Shevy on financial coaching, teaching her the fundamentals of budgeting and saving. She encouraged her to create savings pockets — for car repairs, emergencies, and more.
“Before that, everything was cash, and I never budgeted. Now I have multiple accounts and an account for long-term security. She told me to keep at least six months of expenses saved, so I learned to calculate all my bills and plan ahead,” Shevy said.
The experience was transformative. “That was eye-opening and something I had never learned in school. Everyone can benefit from financial education, especially women, to feel ownership of finances and know how to manage and steward them,” she added.
Homeownership didn’t just change her life, it also shaped her daughter’s future. When they moved in, Krimzin was finishing fourth grade. At first, Shevy worried about the changes ahead, but their new home opened doors to independence. Krimzin began walking the two blocks to school on her own, using a basic cell phone to call when leaving and arriving.
That short walk was the first step toward autonomy. As she got older, and moved on to different schools, Krimzin learned the bus system, then the light rail when she stayed later for after-school sports. “She gained so much independence — making decisions when no one was home, navigating transportation, and managing her schedule,” said Shevy. Those lessons carried into adulthood, when Krimzin was accepted into five colleges then graduated high school, and decided to take a gap year to work and figure out her path.
“Habitat has blessed me so much that my housing expenses are covered. So instead of keeping her rent for my expenses, I’ll put it away for when she does go to college.”
– Shevy, Habitat Homeowner
Shevy supported her decision while teaching financial responsibility. “I told her that if she wasn’t a student, then she would be a tenant. That means paying rent,” she explained. Krimzin began working, covering her phone bill and car repairs, and Shevy plans to open a savings account for her daughter and deposit the rent she pays, giving it back to Krimzin when she moves out as an investment in her future.
“Habitat has blessed me so much that my housing expenses are covered. So instead of keeping her rent for my expenses, I’ll put it away for when she does go to college,” she said.
Looking back on the last decade, Shevy says she’s loved living in Sheridan. “I still love the community I’m in and I love being able to make connections with people,” she said. “Being in such a small community feels nice and welcoming, and that’s my jam.”
She volunteers at a nonprofit called Sheridan Rising Together for Equity, advocating for accessibility and transparency in local government and organizations. “We’re tiny, but we’re listening, we’re paying attention, we’re going to town meetings and advocating for what we need,” said Shevy.
At the heart of all of this is her home. “I love my front porch — the sunsets are beautiful, and we have a little swing chair,” said Shevy. Gardening has become a favorite pastime, even if her harvests are smaller these days. “When I first moved in, I was adamant about gardening and had a huge harvest. Now it’s smaller because I discovered paddleboarding and spend more time away from home. I’ve been able to travel and do more, and my savings are growing because of my affordable mortgage,” she said.
Shevy’s home is filled with family photos, laughter, and the smell of home-cooked meals. There’s space for her niece to sleep over, storage for paddleboards and holiday decorations, and a kitchen big enough for family dinners. “Just being able to gather in my home is so nice,” she said. These are more than just features of the home she’s lived in for a decade, but the foundation for a life of stability.
That security has allowed her to give back to her community, support her daughter’s independence, and dream bigger for the future. This is what Habitat’s mission is all about: building homes, communities, and hope.
