When Camillia and her four children moved into their new Habitat home, it felt like a dream years in the making finally coming true.
Before becoming a Habitat homeowner, Camillia lived in a three-bedroom townhouse. As a single mother of four, the space was tight, and safety was an ongoing concern. Break-ins and theft were a part of daily life, and although they made the best of it, Camillia knew her family needed more space, more security, and a real chance to thrive.
She first heard about Habitat’s program while she was a student, but at the time, she wasn’t eligible. Once she had been working steadily for nearly two years, she decided to take a chance and apply. She was expecting it might take a few years to be accepted. To her surprise, things moved quickly. “I told my sister right away — I said, ‘I got accepted!’” Camillia remembers. “It happened so fast.”
Moving into her own home was a powerful moment. For the first time, she felt the excitement of reaching goals she had set for herself 15 years ago: owning a home, finishing her education, and building a stable future for her children. Today, she’s working toward a Bachelor of Social Work, with plans to pursue her master’s degree. She wants to set an example for her children: showing them what’s possible with perseverance and hope.
The new home has brought comfort, safety, and a sense of pride. Her children, once squeezed into small shared spaces, now have their own rooms and the freedom to enjoy their backyard. “They don’t fight as much now,” Camillia laughs. “My son loves playing volleyball outside. They finally have their own spaces to just be themselves.”
For Camillia, the greatest change has been the feeling of independence and peace. Gone are the days of unexpected landlord visits and worrying about who might be in the yard. She finally feels at home.
“Homeownership means equity. It means finally having something that’s mine, something I can leave to my children,” she says. “Things feel lighter now. I feel better about myself. I’m more positive.”
To those thinking about applying to Habitat, Camillia doesn’t hesitate: “You’ll benefit so much. You’ll have privacy, stability, and a sense of pride you can’t get from renting. It’s life-changing.”
She is filled with gratitude for everyone who made her home possible. “I’m very thankful for the volunteers and the people who donate. It’s a lot of love and heart that goes into this. What happened to me was truly life-changing.”
