For Karina, a single mother, the dream of homeownership was something she could never quite picture for herself. Amidst a challenging housing market and while raising her young son, the goal felt out of reach. Now, as a future homeowner with Habitat for Humanity Tucson, she is not only building a house but is actively constructing a legacy of stability, security, and love for her five-year-old son, Aviel.
Karina describes their family of two as “small but mighty.” She beams when talking about her son, calling him her “little pride and joy.” Currently, the duo lives in Karina’s childhood home, sharing her old bedroom with her parents and brother. While grateful for the support, Karina recognized the need for a space of their own.
“We're a little cramped,” she shared. “It'd be nice to have my own space… to create what my parents did for me. Like that foundation of having such a safe haven is something that I aspire to have for me and my son.”
The path to Habitat for Humanity Tucson’s Homeownership Program was paved by a friend who had grown up in a Habitat home. Seeing Karina’s desire for a better future for her family, her friend encouraged her to apply. “She mentioned that program and how great it’s been for her and her family, you know, growing up in a home like that where she was able to gain stability and security,” Karina recalled. “And so, she told me, ‘Why don’t you give it a try?’ And well, I did and here I am.”
Karina’s experience in the program has been transformative. She has embraced the sweat equity requirement, already completing nearly half of her hours at the CHUCK Center. With no prior experience, she has learned to use power tools, measure with precision, and even build picnic tables from scratch.
“I never pictured myself sawing anything in my life,” she said with a laugh. “It was crazy to just, you know, grab the wood, saw it, at whole bunch of different angles. There’s so much math that goes into it that I never thought about before.”
Beyond the construction skills, Karina emphasizes the empowerment the program provides. “This program doesn’t just provide a house. It empowers you through financial and homeownership education,” she explained. “It’s giving me the confidence to thrive as a homeowner because I never envisioned myself to be a homeowner because of how the pricing has been with the housing crisis… So now with this program, it’s like, ‘Oh my God, like I’m building something.’”
What Karina looks forward to most is the profound sense of accomplishment and the future she is building. “Just that sense of pride of knowing that I made this,” she shared. She is excited to provide “roots and generational stability” for Aviel, calling the entire journey “a true manifestation of the labor of love.”
She has also found a powerful sense of community, building friendships with volunteers and future neighbors. “I feel like I’ve created such wonderful bonds,” Karina said. “It’s amazing to know that I’m going to have that invested community where me and my son can feel such a deep sense of belonging.”
For Karina, the essence of this new beginning is simple yet profound. Through hard work and community support, Karina is building a home alongside Habitat Tucson where that love will have the space to grow for generations to come.
Like Karina, your family can benefit from the Habitat for Humanity Tucson’s Homeownership Program. Learn more about how it works here.