Rebecca McKelvey and her two younger children, Gary (11) and Kristen (9), live in a cute two bedroom house in Elkhart. Unfortunately, the inside isn't as pleasant. "The basement's always wet," says Becky. "And now bees have moved in." The kids don't have their own rooms. The rent is very high, and Becky has trouble making it by herself. She is also tired of giving someone else money for something that's not hers. "We're ready for something that we can own."
The children are very excited. Becky says, "They're asking, 'Mom, can I have a purple room? Can I have a blue room? Mom, it's not going to be junky? Can we help?" The new McKelvey residence will be within walking distance of Becky's work, the kids' school, a gas station, grocery store, and WalGreens. "My friend says I need a granny tote," Becky laughs, "so when I walk to the store, I can carry groceries back."
Becky has operated the switchboard at the Elkhart Clinic for five years. It's a supportive group of people, she says, and they ask about her house every day. When she's not working, Becky likes to make crafts. The kids too-they spend time around the table just making things. The kids also enjoy swimming, often at the Pierre Moran pool. Gary plays football and Kristen is a singer. "She will put the karaoke on the TV and sing away," Becky laughs.
Kristen wants to be either a professional singer or doctor. Gary says he's going to college for sure, but he's going to get a football scholarship. He tells Becky, "Mom, when I get rich, I'm going to take care of you." Becky's oldest daughter, Kendra, has started her own household with her son, Devari. "She's becoming a great mom," Becky says. She's working, has moved into her own place, and she plans to enroll in Ivy Tech.
Becky's niece, Jennifer, built her Habitat home as part of the Builder's Blitz of 2008. She encouraged Becky to apply. She thought she'd never qualify-maybe her credit wasn't good enough, or maybe she couldn't afford it-- but she followed through to appease Jennifer. She was the most shocked when the selection committee called and asked to meet her and the family.
It was like a miracle for me," she says, "Being a single mom, you never think you can own a home. It's been a long wait, but it's so worth the wait. It's a dream come true. A dream of owning my own home actually coming true! I've met a lot of friends along the way. It's not often that people who work every day, who have a job, are given an opportunity [like Habitat]. It's awesome, it's a great feeling."