Arlene Fisher Walter

A homeowner since 2013, Arlene Fisher Walter has experienced the joy and freedom of living independently in a home designed for her needs.

Her story began with a season of uncertainty. After a divorce and serious health challenges that required bed rest, she and her two children were living with her parents, trying to rebuild. With encouragement from her sister, Arlene applied for Habitat’s homeownership program. She wasn’t just hoping for a house. She was longing for independence, stability, and a fresh start for her family.

Rooted in Goshen, where she worked and stayed close to loved ones, Arlene chose to build her home on 6th Street. Because of a car accident in her teens, accessibility became essential. Habitat came alongside her to design a home that truly met her needs, creating a space where she could move freely and live fully. Throughout construction, she was deeply moved by the outpouring of support. Volunteers showed up in droves, many of them familiar faces from her own life. “It was truly humbling,” she noted.

Today, Arlene’s life looks very different. Now married, with her children grown and thriving, Arlene’s home proved to be the foundation for this new chapter of her life. It provided stability, restored her independence, and created a place where her family could flourish. Reflecting on her journey, she says: “The program taught me responsibility and gave me my independence.”