Temisha
Temisha is a confident, ambitious woman who is looking out for her kids. She has two children, son Ta'Shawn (16) and daughter P'Asiah (12).
The family has lived in the same mobile home for 8 years. Temisha remembers moving in because it was just a few months before her dad passed away. She recalls telling him it would be the last place she lived until she could buy her own home, and he was so happy for her. But Temisha’s landlord recently told her he was thinking of selling and would give her 30-days’ notice if he did.
“When I was told that, it was confirmation I had to do something,” Temisha said. She was worried she might go to her mailbox one day and find out she had nowhere to live.
That’s when some of the traits Temisha’s dad instilled in her revved up: determination, hard work and resilience. Temisha applied for a home loan and got approved, but it was hard to save the down payment needed as a single parent. She applied for Habitat’s affordable housing program but wasn’t sure if she would be accepted, so she found an apartment. Just before she was set to move in, she discovered it was still occupied.
“I had gotten discouraged, and then a couple weeks later I got my letter from Habitat telling me I was approved,” she said.
She was so excited, she called Habitat the very first day that she could. “What God has for you is for you,” Temisha said. She said getting approved for Habitat’s program reminded her no matter what happens she knows no one can take God’s plan away.
“I’m not the best with a hammer and nails but I am so ready to go out there and put in one nail,” Temisha said. She is putting in the hard work and time into achieving home ownership. She knows if she works for her home, she will get it. While Habitat has helped, this house is Temisha’s house: “I can say, I did that,” she said.
One of Temisha’s favorite Habitat experiences is paint nights with volunteer Claudia. She really enjoyed how exact Claudia was in her painting critiques and she learned a lot. She’s also been soaking up knowledge though other sweat-equity experiences. Whether that be the financial and homeowner education or working on a construction site, Temisha wants to learn how to be a great homeowner. A part of that is encouraging others.
“Don’t put limitations on yourself,” Temisha says to those thinking of applying for the program. “Do not say you cannot do the work, or you do not deserve the help before you apply for it.”
Temisha also talked about the impact Habitat’s supporters make on the future homeowners.
“What is better than hope?” she said. “There are so many people in unfortunate situations, and what they really need is hope. Whether it is donating time, resources or money, you can always give hope.”
Temisha thanks all those who have supported future homeowners like her, and she thanks her father, who told her: “Work hard for everything you want in life.” He inspired Temisha to always work for the things that are important to her, and she has done just that, especially when it comes to her family and her future house.
“Everything I am doing I am trying to make him proud,” she said, “Even though he is not here to see me I know he is still watching me.”
Check out Temisha’s video story here.
Thank you to our home sponsors: Dabo’s All In Team Foundation, Publix Charities and Gambrill Foundation.
If you’ve been inspired to help Temisha and future Habitat homeowners like her, we encourage you to visit our give page. Every dollar is recognized and appreciated as it impacts the lives of those whose stories we tell.