You can open the door to stronger tomorrows.

At first, the thought of Habitat was intimidating. “As a single mom, it’s overwhelming. You’re trying to make a living and get a home. It can be overwhelming with all the scheduling, trying to make ends meet, and trying to make progress toward an end goal. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to afford to buy a Habitat home or to keep it once I had it. But I knew I wanted to leave a legacy for my kid.”

Fortunately for Keondra, tenacity was part of her upbringing – and so was homeownership. Her mother Kesha instilled the value of stability and modeled the path to get there. “My mom had her first home when she was 20 and that motivated me because I purchased my first home when I was 24. We are very close, strongminded, and all about women’s empowerment. With my home and with my school – my mom is my biggest supporter. I wouldn’t be here without her.”

“I have my RN, and I’m about to get my LPN in May. None of this would be possible if I was still living in that apartment. I would be working like crazy to pay rent. Having a house helped me with college and with comfort. I don’t have to bust my tail working all day. I know I have a house – and a predictable payment – to come home to after work, and just feel good on that level.”

Now as a homeowner of 7 years, Keondra and KyUir can take advantage of the opportunities to which homeownership is the doorway. Opportunities like saving more and investing in education, attaining stronger childhood development, and the ability – and financial flexibility – to make forward looking choices.

But Keondra’s work with Habitat didn’t stop once she stepped across the threshold into her new home. Instead of closing the door on her own Habitat chapter, Keondra now serves as an Ambassador opening the door to future Habitat homebuyers. Since the day she received her keys, Keondra has mentored 3 different families in their application process with Habitat Catawba Valley.

“People ask me what Habitat is like. As an Ambassador, I tell them about my process – the home visits, classes, budgeting, and sweat equity hours. I would want someone to do it for me; so, I do it for others. I want to share so that they have the faith to go forward with Habitat. It makes me feel good knowing I helped someone in this life. It actually makes me cry, knowing I helped someone get their Habitat house.”

Recently we shared that Habitat Catawba Valley has plans to Build more. Do more. Serve more. so that more families like Keondra’s – and like the families she mentors – can have a stable start in a safe and secure home. However, Habitat cannot do it alone. Current housing pressures are among the most severe we’ve experienced in the Catawba Valley. Ensuring everyone has a decent place to call home will take all of us. It will take Advocates like Dawn and Kesha. It will take Ambassadors like Keondra. It will take Supporters like you.

Will you join with Keondra in opening doors to stronger tomorrows? Your much needed gift today will help the next generation of Habitat homebuyers build the foundation their family needs to thrive.

There are many ways to be an ambassador like Keondra. When you join her in paying it forward through Habitat, you are investing in families, and you are investing in futures. Your support provides solid ground families can stand on, and a legacy families can pass along.