Jeremiah & Fawn

Established in 2007

Fawn and I first met in early 2004. We had both just come out of difficult relationships and were initially looking for friendship rather than anything romantic. Life, however, has a way of surprising you, and things don’t always unfold as expected.

We met through mutual friends at a local gathering and immediately clicked. At first, Fawn didn’t see the potential for a relationship, but I sensed a spark in her personality that made me believe there could be something more. As time passed, we realized just how much we had in common. Even though we weren’t sure where things were headed, we found ourselves wanting to spend more and more time together. By June, we decided to unofficially start dating.

Later in 2004, our relationship became more serious, and we shared the exciting news that we were expecting our first child. Feeling both scared and anxious, we began searching for a home that would be suitable for raising a baby. It sounded simple—but it was anything but. We had so much to learn, and quickly. Despite saving money and planning for the future, the traditional bank loan route simply wasn’t an option for us at that stage in our lives.

Our son, Josh, was born on August 1, 2005, and we still weren’t any closer to securing a mortgage. As young parents, we instead focused on finding a safer neighborhood—one without a negligent landlord who refused to address serious issues like faulty wiring and potential fire hazards.

One day, a family friend, Patty, approached us and suggested that we apply for Habitat for Humanity in our community. We decided to give it a try. During the application process, we learned that we needed to improve our credit before we could be fully approved. Determined, we immediately got to work and successfully addressed those issues. In 2006, we were approved and informed that we might receive a home in 2008.

We began completing our required “sweat equity” hours, contributing to the construction process as part of our down payment. Life surprised us once again when, thanks to our dedication and hard work, we were offered an earlier build season than originally planned. After countless hours of pounding nails, lifting trusses, sanding drywall, painting walls, and installing siding, we officially moved into our home in September 2007. By that time, we were also expecting our second child.

Today, our children have grown into remarkable young adults. Josh, now 20, graduated in 2024, and Jayden, 18, will graduate this May.

Habitat for Humanity didn’t just provide us with a house—it gave us an opportunity. Through an interest-free mortgage and the support of countless volunteers and donors, Habitat offered us a true “hand up,” not a handout. We learned how to build a home, and in doing so, we built a strong foundation for our family in a safe and supportive environment.

Habitat can do the same for others who have the courage and curiosity to pursue this opportunity. We are forever grateful for the chance we were given and for the incredible community of volunteers and donors who made it all possible. We truly thank our lucky stars for Habitat for Humanity.