Many families feel the struggle of making enough money just to skate by, yet not enough to receive any sort of financial assistance.
For many years, Megan had been struggling to meet her family’s financial needs as a single mom who works full-time.
“I work full time. I don’t spend any money. I had a car that had 250,000 miles on it. I was watching my credit. I was doing everything right. And there’s just like, nothing that I could afford anywhere,” she shared.
As a single mom of two young adult children, Megan felt the pressure to provide for her family. Megan had moved so many times in her childhood, and the guilt of putting her children through a similar situation filled her with stress.
Megan’s adult daughter has special needs, which prevents her from living independently. Despite this, Megan made too much money to qualify for any sort of public assistance.
This struggle is all too common for many hardworking families. Over half of Vermont families pay more than 30% of their income toward housing, barely making ends meet.
Luckily, Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity was an option for Megan and her family. She was apprehensive at first, but she knew it was the right step for her family.
“I don’t know how to do construction, so I thought that was going to be a major barrier,” she admitted. However, as she participated in building her new home, she discovered newfound confidence. “I didn’t know that I was going to be able to actually hang and cut sheetrock and build stairs,” she shared with pride.
After living in her home for a little over a year, Megan is able to reflect on her experience with gratitude.
With stable housing came financial relief. Megan had been postponing medical care due to financial anxiety: “I’ve been putting off medical things because I just can’t afford it.” Now, with the burden of housing costs lifted, she felt empowered to prioritize her health and well-being.
“I’ve never before paid my bills or bought groceries without a sense of anxiety,” she expressed. Paying her mortgage became an act of joy rather than dread—a tangible investment in her family’s future.
Megan’s children also feel the same sense of relief. “I can tell that they are relieved to have time and space to figure out what their future might be. My older son also enjoys having our ‘family home’ where he comes for dinner,” she said with a smile.
With this new home, Megan’s daughter has also gained more independence. She can walk to and from work, and she also takes the bus to go shopping in Burlington or Williston.
For Megan, this home represents long-term stability. “I feel like it’s a place where I can grow old,” she reflected. With this home comes peace, security, and pride.
In this new chapter of their lives, this family is no longer just surviving; they are flourishing. Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity did not just build them a house; they built them a home.
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