Meet Amanda & Grace

Amanda Neuman and her 5 year old daughter were forced to share a bedroom in the apartment of a friend once Amanda left her ex-husband and his drug addiction issues. Living in close quarters in someone else’s home was quite a struggle and very much the inspiration for Amanda to apply to Habitat. When they were chosen, Amanda was both overjoyed and excited about the process.

“I enjoyed learning things from the classes and building other families’ homes for sweat-equity hours. When we got to see the property that we were assigned, it was a prayer answered.”

Having a Habitat house has brought tremendous positive change to the lives of Amanda and Grace. They’re more financially responsible now, Amanda has more confidence in her ability to manage her life and both feel a stronger sense of security.

“My goal was to provide Grace with a home and a life of stability, community relationships and her own bedroom,” said Amanda, "which she decorated with rainbow colors. We became very close to the volunteers, some of whom even bought rainbow decals for Grace’s wall.”

Amanda went on to meet a wonderful man whom she married. They’ve since had two sons (they share a room, no rainbows) and live together in their home among other Habitat neighbors.

What they, and indeed all Habitat families, realize is that a home is more than just a bunch of walls and rooms and furniture. It’s a feeling, a sense of security, of belonging. It’s something you truly appreciate and cherish when you’ve lived without it. Amanda summed it up best when she said to us:

“It’s nice to have that feeling of community. Not everyone gets that opportunity. Grace is not ashamed to share about her house, because she ultimately knows it was provided by the Lord’s hands."