This is not where Carmen thought she would be today–standing here, dedicating her new home, which she helped build side-by-side with Our Towns Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build volunteers.

Four years ago, Carmen had just moved to North Carolina from New York. It wasn’t a planned move, really. Carmen and her daughter Daniella had been having a tough go of it in Carmen’s native state. After becoming disabled with chronic back pain, Carmen found herself unable to afford her $1,000/month rent, so Carmen and Daniella spent six months living in a homeless shelter.

Carmen eventually found a way to get out of the shelter, but was still struggling financially, and was about to have to go back to the shelter. But that’s when things started to change. Daniella had the opportunity to travel to North Carolina to visit an aunt she’d never met–her father’s sister.

She loved it here so much that she began working to convince her mom they needed to move. So Carmen came down two weeks later to see what Daniella was so excited about–and fell in love as well.

“It’s so beautiful here, with all the trees and houses,” Carmen said. “And Daniella has room to get outside and play.”

Carmen returned to New York to pack their things and moved to North Carolina. Carmen and Daniella were able to stay with Daniella’s aunt while they searched for an apartment–a period they hoped would take three months but instead took six to find something they could afford. Even then, on her limited income, Carmen’s rent wasn’t really affordable.

By chance and divine providence, she learned about Our Towns Habitat. She wasn’t familiar with Habitat for Humanity’s programs before, but a non-English speaking neighbor asked her to come along to a homeowner information session to translate. Then her neighbor talked her into applying as well.

Carmen doubted she’d be approved and doubted she’d be able to perform the needed 400 sweat equity hours with her disability. But when she was approved, her resolve to give her daughter something better kicked in. Carmen was able to get in hours volunteering in the office, attending homeowner classes, and doing light-duty tasks at the build site. She also had people step in to work hours for her, including parents of Daniella’s friends.

“It’s amazing the help you get from everyone,” Carmen said of the experience. “I feel like I’m in a different world. The most rewarding thing is that I can give my daughter a better place–a safer place.”

Daniella has not been able to contain her excitement about their new home, where she will have her own yard for the first time. She is already asking for a trampoline, and has made friends in the neighborhood during build days. She also has plans to paint her bedroom–with a lavender doorway and pink walls.

“In New York, I was to a point where I questioned God, and my faith was so low,” Carmen said. “Now being here and realizing God has made my life better, I put my life in His hands.”