For Maria and her nine-year-old daughter, Madysin, home has always been a shared space. The mother and daughter share not only a close bond but also a bedroom in the home of Maria’s mother. While grateful for family support, Maria knew her creative and energetic daughter needed room to grow.
“She’s like my mini me. She’s really wild and carefree and she has a lot of energy,” Maria said of her daughter. But in their current living situation, that energy is confined. “Having Madysin, she’s very creative and she’s always working on projects... I just felt like she’s very limited and restrictive.”
Driven by the desire for more space and financial stability, Maria, who works as an administrative assistant at a local school district and part-time at a restaurant, began searching for a path to homeownership. She discovered Habitat for Humanity Tucson’s Homeownership Program online and, demonstrating incredible perseverance, applied twice before being accepted into the Homeownership Program.
Now, Maria is deep into her sweat equity hours, dedicating her Saturdays to building her future home. She has already learned new skills, recalling with pride the first time she used a nail gun. The physical effort is a testament to her commitment. “I got a blister in between my thumb and my index finger from the hammer,” she laughed.
Beyond building a house, Maria is building a community. She has found camaraderie with the other future homeowners, most of whom are women. “It’s really nice to be able to share each other’s story… everybody has been really nice,” she shared. “By the time you move in, you’re already going to know them and have that relationship with them.”
When asked what she is most looking forward to, Maria’s excitement is palpable. “Oh my gosh, so many things,” she said. She looks forward to the security of a stable, affordable mortgage and the freedom that comes with having their own space. She anticipates the joy of creating a home environment that is fully their own, where they can create new Christmas traditions in their new home.
For Maria, the new home represents a foundation of love and a fresh start, a place designed for their bond to deepen and for Madison’s spirit to flourish. Through hard work and partnership with Habitat Tucson, Maria and Madison are building more than a house—they are building a home where love, freedom, and creativity can flourish.
Like Maria, your family can benefit from the Habitat for Humanity Tucson’s Homeownership Program. Learn more about how it works here.