Joyous

When asked what excites her most about becoming a homebuyer, Brittney pauses, reflecting on the significance of this moment. “What excites me most is I get to call something mine," she says thoughtfully. "It’s a joyous feeling that I’m not going to hear a knock on the door like, ‘Hey, I’m ready to sell. You have to find something.’ Or, you know, God forbid the roof collapse or something. Just to be in a place that no one can take from me is a feeling of relief. Like, I got this far—what else can I do?”

Brittney’s journey to homeownership has been marked by perseverance and determination. She moved to the Charlotte area for college but found her plans altered when she became a mother. However, instead of giving up, Brittney pushed forward. She recently completed her degree in 2023, a testament to her resilience and dedication to creating a better future for herself and her two children, Anari and William.

Currently, Brittney is a case manager for a Medicaid managed care company, helping others access vital resources. “I love it,” she says. “I love helping people, getting people to the correct resources, everything within my power. I love it.” But her living conditions are far from ideal. The house she rents suffers from a range of issues, including mold, faulty wiring, plumbing issues, and structural problems.

For Brittney, her future home is more than just a physical structure. It’s a place of safety, stability, and love—a foundation upon which her family can build new memories. "Home means a place you can go and feel love. Feel safe. A place where it’s no worry," she reflects. Like many Habitat homeowners, Brittney is looking forward to creating traditions in her new space. “I’ve always had to  go back home or somewhere else to have Christmas or Thanksgiving. And this is huge because my siblings have always been like, ‘We want to come there."

She also has big plans for the future. "I think after I get situated, I want to go back to school for my master’s," she shares. As she looks forward to the next chapter, Brittney is deeply grateful to the volunteers and donors who are helping her achieve her dream. "A huge thank you. It takes a very, very selfless person to volunteer and give back their time. Like, you’re not getting paid for it. I think that speaks volumes," she says. "It’s just—it’s joyous. That’s my favorite word. It’s very joyous. A huge thank you."