Shanique and her daughter, Jamara (7) are so excited to be building their very own home. They are quickly outgrowing their small, expensive apartment and need the space to grow as a family, especially as Jamara grows older.
Growing up with her mother in government assisted housing, Shanique knew that she “wanted better for me and my mom.” Her mom, Stephanie, constantly motivated her to do better and work to achieve her goals. One of those goals was homeownership.
With her mom’s support, Shanique has done everything to provide a better life for her own daughter. Shanique knows that her mother’s encouragement has helped her achieve many of the things that she has accomplished today.
When starting her career, Shanique wanted to work in skincare, a field that was important to her. She began working in a dermatology office in 2017, knowing that helping people with skincare and problems like skin cancer and acne was how she would make a difference. She started out as a receptionist and quickly showed her skills and dedication. She was promoted to Medical Assistant after passing her tests and completing her clinicals. She is excited to be working her way up in a field that means so much to her.
Even though Shanique is passionate about her work and excelling in her field, she is affected by the lack of affordable housing in Knoxville. Unfortunately, stories like Shanique’s are far too common. Home values and rental prices have increased dramatically over the past few years, which makes it even more challenging for some Knoxville families to afford a traditional mortgage.
Fortunately, Shanique found a way to build a better future through Knoxville Habitat. Aside from working full-time and raising her daughter, she has also been working through Knoxville Habitat’s homeownership program. She has attended weekly budget classes for over a year and saved money for the down payment on her mortgage. She encourages others in need of affordable housing by saying “It is a time-consuming process, but even if you work full-time, you can get through it.”
When looking to the future, Shanique is even excited to do things that many people take for granted, such as keeping her new home clean. She believes that this will be an opportunity to teach Jamara about responsibility as she completes her chores. Shanique said that she looks forward to being “happy to come home at the end of the day.”
And most of all, this close-knit mother and daughter look forward to growing into their own space, in a safe and affordable home they can call their own.
Visit here to find out how you can help this amazing mother build her home!