Cooper Family

Daeliel works as a QMA for ShiftKey and is the mother of 8-year-old Da-Ttrius.

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She and her son currently live in an income-based apartment where she has experienced ongoing safety and maintenance concerns. Daeliel has witnessed violence, unsupervised children, and substance abuse in the complex. Inside her unit, there is mold and non-functioning electrical outlets. Despite submitting multiple work orders, most issues remain unresolved. She does not feel safe, and her concerns deepened once her son was old enough to voice his own worries.

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Daeliel learned about Habitat’s homeownership program through word of mouth and social media. Homeownership had not previously felt attainable—most of her family rents, with only one aunt owning a home. She is ready for a living situation where problems are addressed, and her privacy is respected, without the risk of unannounced entry by a maintenance staff.

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When she received the call that she had been accepted into the program, she saw it as confirmation of her faith and belief that God has a plan for her life.

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Da-trius is excited about the opportunity to have a yard to play in. For Daeliel, homeownership represents stability, safety, and a sense of permanence.

While completing her required volunteer “sweat equity” hours, Daeliel initially felt out of place on the construction site. Over time, she gained confidence, learning how to use tools and even install doors.

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She also found value in the Financial Literacy and Homeownership classes, particularly the sense of community and support from staff and other program participants. Through these classes, she learned how to review her bank statements, manage a budget, and better understand her income and expenses, as well as key topics like home insurance and property taxes.

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Through this experience, Daeliel has begun to think about her future in new ways. She plans to complete her prerequisites for nursing school and, eventually, hopes to take family vacations, something she had not allowed herself to imagine before.