Evonne grew up in Delaware and has lived in Central Ohio all her life. She enjoys spending time with her granddaughter, who she gained custody of several years ago. Evonne loves to stay busy by supporting her granddaughter’s softball, gymnastics, and school activities.

Evonne was forced to close her daycare business of 16 years and sell her home as a result of Covid-19. Evonne and her granddaughter moved in with Evonne’s 75-year-old mother, and Evonne became her mother’s home health aide. They now all share a small 2-bedroom home where Evonne’s mother and granddaughter occupy the bedrooms. “I don’t even have a bedroom and am sleeping on the couch,” Evonne notes.

Evonne and her granddaughter are in need of their own home with enough space for them to each have a bedroom of their own. “We are living out of totes with 75% of our stuff in storage. I want my granddaughter to be able to run and play and be loud in her safe forever home,” says Evonne. “My mom is 75 and it is hard for my granddaughter to be a ‘kid’ in her home.” Evonne dreams of owning a home big enough for her own possessions to come out of storage and where her granddaughter’s toys aren’t kept in totes.

Upon hearing that she had been accepted into the homeownership program, Evonne says she cried tears of joy. “I’m so excited for my granddaughter to experience the benefits of stability that come with having our own, permanent home.” Evonne is already looking forward to putting out holiday decorations, hosting family dinners, and is very excited about the affordability of her future home. “I’m excited for my granddaughter to have the opportunity to invite her friends over and have birthday parties in her own home,” Evonne says.

As part of Habitat’s homeownership program, Evonne is now working her way toward completing 300 hours of sweat equity. “I am excited to help construct my own home and help other future homeowners build theirs.”