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Success Stories

Think Habitat homeownership might be right for you? Take the first step and attend an application session. The following Habitat homeowners did it and you can too!

In 2006, Jamal and Morgan received a call informing them of their selection to occupy and own a Habitat home in West Chicago, Illinois. Excitement, joy and gratitude were the overwhelming reactions of both Jamal and Morgan as they realized their dream of homeownership was coming true.

"God is good," exclaimed Morgan as she heard the news of her family being selected. "I encourage all families to never give up the faith and attend the Habitat application sessions, because you never know - you could be the next Habitat partner family."

Patricia is a single mother, whose hard work with the organization promises to pay dividends for herself, as well as others. Patricia first learned about a DuPage Habitat Application Session from a coworker, and thought the session might be worth her time. The session proved more than worth it as, just a few months later, she found herself on a conference call with DuPage Habitat's Selection Committee, which had one question for her: would Patricia Camacho like to be the organization's next partner family?

Needless to say, the answer was yes, and Patricia soon found herself working side-by-side with Habitat volunteers on her new home. Patricia loves the work, finding it challenging and rewarding. "It's a great feeling to work on your own home," Patricia said, and she evidently intends to keep that great feeling, as she continues to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity even after work on her own house has been completed. Plus, with all of the new skills she's learned, Patricia hopes one day to even finish her own basement!

At her recent home dedication, Patricia remarked, "We feel so blessed today. The opportunity to provide a home for my family is overwhelming. It feels great." The children are looking ahead, picking out colors for their rooms and hoping to get a dog for their new backyard. In the words of Patricia's daughter: "We're officially home."

Eric and Brenda's hope and faith-filled journey with DuPage Habitat began with a simple phone call to the organization. After completing the application process, the family was selected for a renovated home, which was just dedicated in May 2008. Of that day, Brenda said, "I was speechless that day, and I'm speechless now."

Eric and Brenda are especially grateful for their new home because it has brought some much needed permanence and freedom to their son, who has autism and is visually impaired. Their son, along with his two sisters, will have plenty of room to play and explore in the family's new house, and will even be near a special school that he attends. Said Brenda, "I really feel like this is a blessing from God, and I thank God for organizations like Habitat for Humanity. I can't thank them enough."

In her own words, Alicia's family has been "hanging in there waiting for the right opportunity," while living in their Naperville apartment. This mother and her three children have spent a long time wanting a home of their own, and, in 2008, their wait is at an end. This partner family turned to DuPage Habitat for help because, as Alicia put it, "I knew they were helpful for people who don't know how to get started." Now that they are getting started, the family is looking to the future, anticipating long evenings in their new backyard and, perhaps most, their first Christmas in their own home.

Recently, Alicia spent a weekend hanging drywall at a Habitat home. "That was an experience!" she said, and went on to note her favorite aspect of putting in her 'sweat equity' - sharing her excitement with another partner family. "Soon," she said, "We'll be where they are!" Alicia also recently threw out a ceremonial first pitch at a Kane County Cougars game as part of a DuPage Habitat event. "I was overwhelmed ... really nervous," said Alicia, "but it was really fun!" Alicia and her family hope that more people will continue to reach out to support DuPage Habitat.