April is a mother of four children who has spent much of her adult life working to provide stability for her family. While she has experienced financial hardship, she has always been determined to build a life of independence and show her children that difficult circumstances do not define a person’s future.
After years of rising rent and working multiple jobs, she realized homeownership was becoming the only sustainable option. Over the years, April watched her rent climb from $1,250 to $1,500, and since 2014, she has moved three times to try to offset the rising cost of rent.
Before applying to the homeownership program, April believed many of the common misconceptions about Habitat. She thought people received free homes from Habitat for Humanity and that the program was only for those facing extreme poverty. At the time, April felt that asking for help meant accepting personal failure.
Growing up, she experienced poverty, but she was determined to build a different future for herself and her children, even if that meant working multiple jobs and asking for help.
When April entered the program, she suddenly found herself contributing volunteer hours to the construction of her home and taking classes that would prepare her financially to purchase it. She quickly learned that Habitat makes affordable homeownership possible.
April and her children were excited by the idea of moving into their own home. However, throughout the process, April noticed a decline in her mental health.
According to the National Library of Medicine, high housing costs directly contribute to financial stress, anxiety, and depression. When April found herself in this difficult position, she wanted to withdraw from the homeownership program. However, she sought support, and the Habitat staff continued to encourage her rather than let her leave the program.
“I came here expecting judgment. Instead, I found people who refused to let me give up,” said April. “Habitat doesn’t make you feel like you need them—they make you feel like they believe in you.”
April believes continuing the homeownership program has taught both her and her children to persevere. She repeatedly says Habitat staff are unlike any organization she has encountered because, for the first time, she was surrounded by people who genuinely believed she could succeed. She specifically highlights Homeowner Services Director Mari for refusing to let her quit.
“Habitat is probably the one organization I’ve ever dealt with where they actually truly work with you.”
Today, April finds herself surrounded by a community of people. She values that everyone in the program walks alongside her as a partner and friend, including her future neighbors and budget partner.
As move-in day approaches, April has already begun imagining what home will look like.
She’s created Pinterest boards, filled online shopping carts with future projects, and even used AI tools to visualize decorating ideas. She dreams of adding a backyard deck, updating light fixtures, painting an accent wall, and creating welcoming outdoor spaces.
But the features she’s most excited about aren’t inside the house.
Every month, her family gathers for dinner and game night. Parents, children, siblings, and significant others squeeze into her current home to spend time together. She can’t wait to continue those traditions in a place that is completely their own.
“I can already picture our family game nights on the front porch,” she says. “I picture doing what we’re already doing now but having the space to enjoy it together.”
For April, Habitat isn’t simply helping her buy a house. It’s helping her create a lasting home—one built on perseverance, community, and hope for the future.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with the Crisis Text Line.
In Monroe County, local resources include Centerstone (642 S. Rogers St.) for crisis care, counseling, addiction treatment, and psychiatric services; Bloomington Meadows Hospital (3600 N. Prow Rd.) for inpatient and intensive outpatient behavioral health treatment; and IU Health Psychiatry (727 W. 2nd St.) for psychiatric consultations, psychotherapy, and intensive outpatient programs.