From Generation to Foundation: Jozlynn & Jamethin’s Journey to Homeownership

For Jozlynn and Jamethin, Habitat for Humanity isn’t just a program—it’s a part of their family’s legacy. Their journey to becoming homeowners is one of resilience, deep roots, and hope for a brighter future. And although the walls of their new home are still going up, the story behind them is already rich with purpose.

In February 2024, Jozlynn and Jamethin applied to become Habitat homeowners. They were officially accepted into the program just two months later, in April. Seven months after that, they welcomed their second child, Oliver, who was born on Thanksgiving Day. The months leading up to his birth were difficult, with complications in the pregnancy forcing Jozlynn to pause her volunteer hours. But as soon as she was able, she jumped right back in, continuing her commitment to building a better future for her family.

By April 2024, they were officially accepted into the program, joining a path already familiar to Jozlynn. Her connection to Habitat began long before she submitted her application. Her grandmother has served as the Executive Director of Northwoods Habitat for Humanity since Jozlynn was just three years old. “I never really ‘learned about Habitat,’” she told us. “It’s always just sort of been a part of my life.”

When Jozlynn was twelve, her mother was approved for a Habitat home after years of instability—moving 24 times and living in unsafe conditions. That experience left a lasting impact. “It felt pretty amazing to have a place we could call ‘home’ for the first time,” she shared. Now, years later, Jozlynn is creating the same opportunity for her own children—Braxton and Oliver.
Currently, the family rents a small house that is in such poor condition it is scheduled for demolition once they move out. It’s simply not suitable for a growing family. Their dream is to move into a safe, stable, and affordable home on 19th Street NW in Bemidji—a street already home to several other Habitat families.

They’re not just waiting for that dream to come true—they’re working for it. Since being accepted into the program, Jozlynn and Jamethin have poured their energy into completing their “sweat equity” hours. You’ll find them helping at the ReStore, handling administrative tasks, mowing lawns on Habitat-owned lots, and helping build their own home alongside staff, volunteers, and subcontractors. Construction began in late May and is expected to wrap up this fall.

For Jozlynn, the motivation is clear. “To waste thousands of dollars a year on renting is crazy to me,” she said. “Becoming a Habitat homeowner, I am most looking forward to having a bedroom and living room again, a clean and safe living space, and a yard I can play with my animals and kids in.” She’s even taken her commitment one step further—recently becoming the ReStore Manager so she can be more involved, and expressing her hope to one day mentor other future Habitat families.

Of course, balancing full-time work, parenting, and volunteer hours isn’t easy. “The hardest part is probably juggling it all,” she said. “But to buy an affordable house in the end—it’s worth it!”

Their expectations for their new home are simple and deeply meaningful: a safe neighborhood, enough space for the boys to have their own rooms, closets (a must!), and a yard where their family can play and grow together. As Jozlynn put it, “The list is endless.”

Once construction is complete, Habitat will hold a home dedication ceremony to celebrate alongside their family and the many supporters who made this dream possible. From there, Jozlynn and Jamethin will begin paying an affordable, zero-interest mortgage to Habitat—and truly begin their next chapter.

We’re proud to walk alongside them in this journey, and we hope their story inspires others. If you—or someone you know—are dreaming of a safe, stable, affordable place to call home, we invite you to learn more about how Habitat can help. Visit habitatbemidji.org/homeownership to find out how to apply.

At Northwoods Habitat, we’re not just building homes. We’re building opportunity, dignity, and lasting change—one family at a time.