For Clarissa, a single mother of three, the dream of homeownership always felt just out of reach. Juggling multiple jobs and navigating the challenges of raising a family on a single income, she moved from Florida to Arizona in search of a fresh start. Now, thanks to Habitat for Humanity Tucson’s Homeownership Program, that dream is becoming a reality, promising a stable foundation and a legacy for her children.
Clarissa’s family is a tight-knit, lively bunch. She will be moving into the new home with her three children: 15-year-old son Javian, 13-year-old daughter Isabella, and her one-year-old baby boy, Aziel.
"We love to just hang out, go to the movies on the weekends," Clarissa shared. "We’re very introverted... We’re all homebodies. Funny, loud, chaotic, but ultimately, we're all really close."
Currently, the family lives in an apartment, a living situation that has always been a necessity but never quite enough space. “I live in an apartment now with my kids… it is extremely crowded,” she explained. “Pretty much my living situation has always been small apartments. I can never have afforded to buy or rent a home on my own, especially not with these crazy rental prices now.”
This challenge is one she has faced for years. Reflecting on her life as a single mom in Florida, Clarissa recounted, “I was struggling because I was barely making $10.00 an hour. It’s always been hard just with us juggling, sometimes working and having side hustles just to make ends meet.” Now living in Tucson, she works as a funding specialist and is also a notary public, taking on side jobs to provide for her family.
The path to Habitat Tucson began years ago with a seed of an idea planted by a manager in Orlando, but Clarissa admits she initially doubted she would qualify. It was after moving to Arizona that a friend’s success with the program was her sign to take the leap for herself. “She told me that she got a Habitat house, and I actually got to go to the house.”
This inspired her to sign up for our information sessions and apply to the program. Once she was accepted into the program, she was, “Super stoked. I told the kids right away they were excited.”
Since then, Clarissa has been actively completing her sweat equity hours, working both on the construction site and at the HabiStore. The experience has been transformative, teaching her new skills and deepening her appreciation for the process.
“I didn’t even know how to use a drill before,” she said. “So, it’s been an experience just getting out there and you actually seeing like what goes behind building a house… It just makes you appreciate the process even more.” She also raved about the community she found, especially at the HabiStore. “Everyone at the HabiStore, it’s like a family there. I love going, it’s so much fun.”
When looking forward to life in her new home, Clarissa’s focus is firmly on family, stability, and legacy.
“I’m honestly just looking forward to having a place that’s our own, that no one can kick us out from,” she said. “Something that I can pass down to my kids and then hopefully they could pass it down to theirs.”
She is most excited for the simple, profound moments that symbolize their journey.
"I'm mostly looking forward to having our first dinner in the house and just talking about all the obstacles that you kind of face and being able to say, wow, we finally did it. I just can't wait for that. Just have the keys in my hand and show the kids this is for you guys."
Like Clarissa, your family can benefit from the Habitat for Humanity Tucson’s Homeownership Program. Learn more about how it works here.