Editor’s note: Adrienne closed on her home in July 2020. Congratulations to Adrienne and her family! Thank you to our amazing supporters who helped give Adrienne a hand up to homeownership. 

Years ago, Adrienne applied for Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program – but didn’t meet the requirements. Habitat for Humanity uses those requirements to make sure homeowners are ready for the responsibilities and costs of homeownership.

Perseverance and patience kept Adrienne going on her journey to becoming a homeowner. Through her hard work, she now meets Habitat Orlando & Osceola’s homeownership qualifications. She reapplied with Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County in January – and was accepted.

The journey to homeownership requires self-assessment and action, Adrienne said. Future homeowners need to identify what prevents them from succeeding – and then learn and build from there.

“If more people followed that in other aspects of their life, not just homeownership, they would be more successful,” Adrienne said.

She wants to give her sons, now 13 and 11 years old, the same opportunities and advantages other children enjoy. The family currently shares a single bedroom – not an ideal situation, but one that they make work, Adrienne said. They have experienced homelessness in the past.

“I didn’t feel like I was doing my job as a parent, giving my children a stable home from one year to the next,” Adrienne said.

She wants her “social and bright” sons to learn the lesson Adrienne did as a child: They too can become homeowners.

“Homeownership is the first step to generational wealth,” Adrienne said. “It changes a lot for people. It’s pivotal; it’s monumental.”

Adrienne’s father came to the U.S. as an immigrant from Jamaica. He worked hard, met and married Adrienne’s mother, and eventually they became homeowners.

“That was something he was always proud of.” Adrienne said.

Owning a home means freedom for Adrienne. Freedom from dealing with rent increases or a difficult landlord.

“You have a say in how long you stay and what you do,” Adrienne said.

As Adrienne’s house closing nears, she’s spent more time thinking about the future her home will allow her to create. Her limited space has kept her from realizing the full potential of her dreams.

“I envision (my future) being very grand and this is very much the cornerstone of all of it,” Adrienne said.

Watch Adrienne’s Home Celebration here:

You can help more local families experience the peace and freedom of owning an affordable home. When you donate to Habitat Orlando & Osceola, every dollar helps us build homes and work toward a world where everyone has a safe and affordable place to live. You can make bring hope home through homeownership; please give today.