Valerie Layman

A homeowner since 2002, Valerie Layman built a life defined not by her past, but by her determination to create something better for herself and her children.

Valerie’s early years were marked by instability and hardship. At just 12 years old, she left home for the first time and spent years moving in and out of foster care, juvenile detention, and girls’ school. By 19, she faced the court system as an adult while also carrying the weight of motherhood. With a four-year-old son and a baby on the way, Valerie found herself at a crossroads, uncertain of what the future might hold but beginning to believe it could be different.

With the support of a Transitional Living Program, Wraparound services, and compassionate counselors, Valerie began to rebuild her life. She committed to change with persistence and discipline, holding a steady job for two years, paying off debts, and learning how to manage her finances. Step by step, she worked toward a dream she had carried for years: building a home of her own through Habitat for Humanity.

Valerie’s journey was not easy, but it was transformative. Today, she lives in the home she helped build, raising her two children in a place of stability and hope. “This home has been the foundation of everything for me. It’s definitely been a godsend for my kids and me,” she shared. She found meaningful work helping others who face challenges similar to her own, offering encouragement from lived experience. Reflecting on her journey, Valerie often reminded others that change is not as impossible as it seems—it simply begins with the decision to try.