When telling the Habitat story, it is natural to focus on the here and now. Often, we’ll speak of new homeowners becoming overcome with joy during their house dedications, rendered speech-less — and often tearful — over how their lives have been powerfully impacted with this dream come true. Yet we would be remiss in not rewinding the time tape and sharing “the rest of the story.”

Throughout these pages, you’ll read about Habitat families who have lived in their homes one, five, ten, even 20+ years…and truly understand the power of a Habitat home. Stories of personal growth, increased security, redirected lives, grown children studying at major universities or owning their own businesses, homeowners building equity for their retirement…and the catalyst for this change: their Habitat homes.

Take, for example, Susan Reed — owner of the third home Habitat for Humanity of Kent County built. Susan paid off her mortgage in 2007, 20 years after she moved in with her then 2, 5, and 7 year old children. Susan was a single mother, juggling two jobs to make ends meet, all while living in a cramped 2-bedroom apartment in the basement of a home in a rough neighborhood. Scared and going through a divorce, she contacted Habitat, submitted her application, and got busy with the children helping out on job sites, cleaning up after the workers every night as the house was built.

Susan moved in in June of 1987, and opted to open an in-home daycare so she could be with her children and more involved in their daily lives. As the years flew by and the children grew, so did her memory bank — sleepovers, family parties, school functions and stellar students. She even worked with her father, a carpenter, to add an attached garage and remodel a bathroom.

Today, her oldest daughter, Hiedi lives across the street in the home she purchased. Hiedi is a paramedic and loves living close to her mom. Son Corey owns his own flooring and tiling business in Grand Rapids, and Stacy, her youngest daughter lives at home, giving her mom a hand with her daycare business when she isn’t in school learning sign language.

When asked how she felt about paying off her mortgage, Susan beamed: “I’ve gotten to know my mailman over the years, and because I was so excited, I gave him my last payment to personally deliver to the post office. Special delivery! I didn’t want to take any chances—Habitat has been so good to me and my family. I can’t imagine what my life would be like had I not been accepted for this program.”

Susan was quick to add a recent blessing made possible because of the financial security she’d built in her home. “My father lives in Iowa now and has become ill, so I travel to be with him every chance I get. Not having a mortgage payment makes this possible.”

Congratulations Susan—we wish you continued success!

When telling the Habitat story, it is natural to focus on the here and now. Often, we’ll speak of new homeowners becoming overcome with joy during their house dedications, rendered speech-less — and often tearful — over how their lives have been powerfully impacted with this dream come true. Yet we would be remiss in not rewinding the time tape and sharing “the rest of the story.”

Throughout these pages, you’ll read about Habitat families who have lived in their homes one, five, ten, even 20+ years…and truly understand the power of a Habitat home. Stories of personal growth, increased security, redirected lives, grown children studying at major universities or owning their own businesses, homeowners building equity for their retirement…and the catalyst for this change: their Habitat homes.

Take, for example, Susan Reed — owner of the third home Habitat for Humanity of Kent County built. Susan paid off her mortgage in 2007, 20 years after she moved in with her then 2, 5, and 7 year old children. Susan was a single mother, juggling two jobs to make ends meet, all while living in a cramped 2-bedroom apartment in the basement of a home in a rough neighborhood. Scared and going through a divorce, she contacted Habitat, submitted her application, and got busy with the children helping out on job sites, cleaning up after the workers every night as the house was built.

Susan moved in in June of 1987, and opted to open an in-home daycare so she could be with her children and more involved in their daily lives. As the years flew by and the children grew, so did her memory bank — sleepovers, family parties, school functions and stellar students. She even worked with her father, a carpenter, to add an attached garage and remodel a bathroom.

Today, her oldest daughter, Hiedi lives across the street in the home she purchased. Hiedi is a paramedic and loves living close to her mom. Son Corey owns his own flooring and tiling business in Grand Rapids, and Stacy, her youngest daughter lives at home, giving her mom a hand with her daycare business when she isn’t in school learning sign language.

When asked how she felt about paying off her mortgage, Susan beamed: “I’ve gotten to know my mailman over the years, and because I was so excited, I gave him my last payment to personally deliver to the post office. Special delivery! I didn’t want to take any chances—Habitat has been so good to me and my family. I can’t imagine what my life would be like had I not been accepted for this program.”

Susan was quick to add a recent blessing made possible because of the financial security she’d built in her home. “My father lives in Iowa now and has become ill, so I travel to be with him every chance I get. Not having a mortgage payment makes this possible.”

Congratulations Susan—we wish you continued success!