Claudine

Claudine, 81, has been a widow since 2015. She’s raised 11 children, and helped raise her 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Claudine spent 25 years as a stay-at-home mom, and another 17 in the work force before retiring. 

After the death of her husband and her retirement, Claudine decided she wanted to try and do some repairs on her home. However, as soon as she and her family began to look at repairs, they discovered the home was damaged far more than they realized. 

“The more we did to it, the more we found needed to be done,” she explained. 

The foundation was the biggest obstacle. The house was appraised twice and both times the same conclusion was reached: the deteriorating foundation was simply too far gone to risk repairing. If they tried to work on it they risked destroying the building completely. Yet something had to be done about the situation. The slanting floors had become dangerous for Claudine, whose mobility is limited. She had already fallen and badly hurt herself. She needed another solution. 

Claudine first heard about Habitat from her daughter. She was so excited that she visited Habitat to get her application on her birthday, and turned it in the very next day. 

“I just prayed, Lord if it’s your will let this application go through” Claudine said. 

Claudine was overjoyed when, a week before Christmas, she was notified she was approved to move forward with the homeownership process. 

“Oh my Lord have mercy,” she laughed. “A burden had been lifted.” 

Claudine started working on her sweat-equity hours in 2021, and she has loved her time at Habitat.  Not only does she feel extremely welcome, she appreciated how Habitat made sure she was safe and comfortable.  

“I can honestly say it’s a family. From the first day I walked in everybody made sure I was comfortable,” Claudine said. “I couldn’t ask for a better experience. I know God is in this building and in this company.” 

Claudine and her whole family are thrilled for the new house. About a dozen family members came to the lot blessing, which was led by her daughter who is a church elder. 

“Who would have thought that at my age I would be going to a brand-new house?” Claudine said. “God saw it, he saw my needs and he met my needs. And I thank God for that.” 

Watch her video interview here. If you’ve been inspired to help Claudine 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.