For Sheryl Scott, a 65-year-old grandmother, the dream of homeownership is about more than just a house—it’s about providing a stable, lasting foundation for her two young grandchildren. Along with seven-year-old Elizabeth and four-year-old Isaac, whom she has raised since birth, Sheryl is building a “forever home” with Habitat for Humanity Tucson’s Homeownership Program, a dream two years in the making.
Sheryl, a dedicated professional in the recovery field for over 19 years, describes her family as multicultural, outdoorsy, and deeply connected in their faith. The decision to pursue homeownership came from a place of love and necessity.
Sheryl has custody of her two grandchildren. Initially she thought this was a short-term arrangement and then she shared that she believes, “God revealed to me that this is a long-term commitment. There are no time limits.”
This realization sparked her desire for stability, moving away from the uncertainties of renting. “There’s no guarantee in renting that your rent won’t go up every year or things will change. Or they say, ‘well, we’re selling the property and you’ve got to go.’ It’s very costly to move.”
Currently in a two-bedroom rental where the children share a room, Sheryl looks forward to more space. “Elizabeth’s getting a little older where that’s not as convenient,” she noted. Her acceptance into the Habitat Tucson Homeownership Program on her second try was an answered prayer for the whole family.
“We’ve been praying for two years,” Sheryl said. The children are fully aware of the journey; Elizabeth even drew a picture of their future home, labeling the bedrooms for each family member—a drawing that will be framed and hung in their new house.
Sheryl’s experience in the program has been profoundly positive, giving her a new sense of community and purpose.
“I feel like I found a new home, a new family, a new purpose, a new place to belong,” she said. “I know that for a fact that when I’m done with my sweat equity hours, I will not be done with Habitat for Humanity.”
She has embraced the sweat equity work, learning practical skills she looks forward to using in her new home. “The importance of tools and how to use them better,” she said with a laugh, noting that her stepmother is now willing her a collection of hand tools. “So now they know the neighbor that has the tools.”
What is she most looking forward to? For Sheryl, it all comes back to security for her grandchildren.
“Stability for the children,” she said. “They call it the forever home. That’s what I look forward to, knowing my future.”
This stability also means the children will have seen a powerful lesson in faith and perseverance. “The kids have seen answered prayers because we prayed for two years and now, they have seen what they prayed for come to life.”
When asked what starts with a home for her family, her answer was rooted in the foundation of their lives together: “I believe our faith starts with the home, our serving God, having God first starts in our home. For we stand on the scripture, ‘For me and my household, we serve the Lord.’”
Through partnership, prayer, and hard work, Sheryl is building a forever home where faith, family, and future security can firmly take hold.
Like Sheryl, your family can benefit from the Habitat for Humanity Tucson’s Homeownership Program. Learn more about how it works here.