Teela is a single mother who lives in Delaware with her 6-year-old-son. She was raised in Delaware, where she says she has always felt safe and loved. She has known from a young age that she wanted to raise her own children here someday. Teela and her son enjoy swimming, going to trampoline parks, doing art projects, and spending time with family and friends.

Working for a local school district as an intervention aid, Teela works directly with high schoolers that have down syndrome, autism, and traumatic brain injuries. She says, “The thing I love most about my job is working with the kiddos and getting to see the world through their eyes.”

Despite working full-time, Teela is unable to purchase her own home in the current economy. Teela and her son live in an apartment in Delaware that she likes but the rent is too high and has left her cost burdened. “I pay more in rent than some of my friends do for their 3-bedroom home mortgages,” Teela says. She dreams of owning an affordable home where her son can play in the yard, and she can plant a garden.

“I was inspired to apply to purchase a home with Habitat because I knew Habitat could make our dreams come true and allow me to raise my little family here in Delaware,” Teela says. “Being accepted into Habitat’s homeownership program as a single mother is truly a blessing. Knowing I’ll be able to give my son a beautiful home without working multiple jobs just to cover the bills and buy groceries is a huge weight lifted off me.”

As part of Habitat’s homeownership program, Teela is now working her way toward completing 300 hours of sweat equity. “I’m looking forward to working with Habitat and helping to build my very own home. Thank you to Habitat and all the volunteers for helping me and my little guy’s dreams come true.