Kari was born and raised in Northwest Indiana, but Bloomington became her true home in 2007 when she moved there to study psychology at Indiana University. “I fell in love with this community and its sense of belonging, and I never left,” she said. For Kari, Bloomington isn’t just a place on the map – it’s where she’s put down roots and where she wants to build a lasting future for her daughter, Veda, and herself.
It’s just the two of them. Four-year-old Veda is “the heart of my world – full of energy, sweetness, and creativity,” Kari said. Music and dance are her passions. On any given week, Veda can be found grooving at the front row of Food Truck Friday, making up her own songs, or dancing her heart out at other community events. “She keeps our life joyful and imaginative every single day.”
Right now, Kari and Veda rent a small house just east of campus, with big windows and a big yard. They love the space, but the rent is overwhelmingly high. Since her divorce, about half of Kari’s income has gone straight to housing costs, leaving almost no room for savings or long-term planning. “I’ve done everything I can to keep us afloat, but there’s been little chance to get ahead.”
That’s why the opportunity to own a Habitat home feels life-changing. It means an affordable mortgage and, for the first time, a chance to start saving – for Veda’s education, for retirement, for a secure future. “The financial relief and stability will allow me to breathe easier and parent from a place of strength.”
Kari’s journey to Habitat began after her separation, when she started working with a local nonprofit program called Your Path. With her counselor’s support, she began rebuilding her financial foundation and dared to dream of homeownership again. For years, she actually didn’t qualify for Habitat because of her income level. “But this time, things had shifted,” she explained. Her counselor encouraged her to reapply, and together they gathered the paperwork and submitted her application.
She will never forget the day she got the call that she and Veda had been accepted. It was the day after the presidential election, a time when the future felt uncertain and heavy. Then a board member from Habitat called with good news. “I immediately burst into happy tears,” Kari remembered. Veda was right there, listening on speakerphone. Kari explained to her daughter that they were going to have their very own house. “That moment will always stay with me: a turning point full of relief, gratitude, and hope.”
What excites Kari most about homeownership is the stability – knowing that Veda will grow up in the same neighborhood, with the same school and friends. She dreams of planting a garden, painting their bedrooms however they want, and celebrating holidays year after year in a home that’s truly theirs. “It’s about creating traditions and memories that belong to us.”
The biggest change will be the peace of mind that comes with financial stability. “Right now, financial stress is always humming in the background,” she admitted. With an affordable mortgage and energy-efficient utilities, that stress will ease. “All of this means I’ll have more energy, time, and resources to pour into my daughter and my community.”
What Kari loves most about Habitat is that it’s not just about building houses – it’s about building neighborhoods. She’s already started forming friendships with other future homeowners, working side by side on each other’s builds. “We’ll move into Osage Place not just as neighbors, but as people who’ve literally helped build one another’s homes.”
Through Habitat, Kari has discovered new skills and confidence. “On the build site, I got to wear a tool belt for the first time, and I’ll admit I felt pretty proud using a nail gun and miter saw!” She’s also learned financial literacy skills through Habitat’s classes, especially the importance of planning ahead for unexpected expenses. “These lessons will stick with me long after the house is built.”
For Kari, this home is much more than walls and a roof – it’s a legacy for her daughter. “I want Veda to grow up knowing the value of community, hard work, and stability,” she said. Her hope is that one day Veda will look back and remember not just the house itself, but the journey that got them there – the women building alongside them, the neighbors becoming friends, and the community that showed up for them.
“I am endlessly grateful to Habitat for Humanity, to the volunteers, to the staff, and to everyone who gives their time, talent, and heart to make these dreams possible. You are changing lives – ours included.”
Kari’s home is sponsored by :
