Gary Family

Vanessa is a dedicated single mother of three—Zacariah (14), DeShawn (12), and Brooklyn (4). For the past nine years, she has worked as a Co-Teacher in the Toddler classroom at Foundations Early Childhood.

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For nearly a decade, Vanessa and her children have lived in public housing at Washington Gardens. The conditions there have been difficult—broken tiles, mold, and an environment she describes as unsafe and unhealthy. She doesn’t allow her children to play outside, fearing for their well-being.

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When a friend who became a Habitat homeowner encouraged her to apply for Habitat’s homeownership program, Vanessa decided to take a chance. The moment she learned she was accepted, she was overwhelmed with joy. “I lost my breath when I got the call—it was too good to believe,” she shared. For Vanessa, this opportunity means more than just a house—it represents stability and a brighter future. “I feel like my life is on the right track, and my kids will be on the right track, too.”

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Vanessa and her children can’t wait to welcome friends over for birthday parties, sleepovers, and holiday celebrations in their new home. Together, they enjoy watching movies, going to the park, and skating. Each child has unique passions—DeShawn plays viola in his school orchestra, Zacariah loves sports, and little Brooklyn keeps everyone on their toes with her energy.

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Through Habitat’s financial literacy classes, Vanessa gained valuable skills in budgeting and debt management, which allowed her to start saving right away. She also loved working alongside the Habitat construction team, where she learned new skills—especially from Jay, the construction site leader.

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Vanessa will be the first in her family to own a home. She looks forward to building a stable foundation for her children and, in the future, being able to travel with them and take a real family vacation.