Sierra's story: A neighborhood of choice

 
 

Soon-to-be Habitat Homeowner, Sierra, expresses how excited she is to build her home at Oxford Green. Here is what she had to say at our 10th Anniversary Building Hope Luncheon:

“A neighborhood of choice!

I am 14 hours away from completing my 350 hours of sweat equity and would be so excited to call Sharswood my neighborhood and Oxford Green my home!

Good afternoon, I am Sierra Scott. I am a future Habitat Homeowner and mom of three children: my daughter Kyierra is 15, Wayne is 12, and my baby Jasir is 10. Everything I do is for my children. I work hard to keep my family together and to provide for them. I work for the Free Library of Philadelphia as a digital research specialist. I help people with resumes and cover letters for their job search. I’m also taking classes at the Community College of Philadelphia to earn my business degree. I have a dream to run a community-based nonprofit and these classes will help. I am also setting an example for my children that education is important, and they should always chase their dreams.

When I’m not at work or school, and while still being a full-time mom, for the last year and a half I’ve been working on my 350 sweat equity hours and classes at Habitat.  I want my kids to have a home – a permanent, safe place – that they can always come home to.  I heard about the Habitat from a church member and it almost sounded too good to be true. When I got up the courage to apply, I was determined to be accepted!

You see…this yes from Habitat, yes, you’ve been accepted is a really big yes for my family!  We have always rented and the places have been really small and too expensive with no space for anything like bikes, no freedom to paint the walls or hang pictures, or heck, not enough space for my growing family in a two bedroom. It forces me to make hard choices every month on how to make ends meet.

I have dreamed of a home for my family.  When I sign those settlement papers and put my key in the front door of my new home, it will be such an accomplishment for me. That’s my Habitat Story: one of accomplishment. Determination and accomplishment! I will have achieved my dream to own a home and created an asset for me and my children.  Our home will always be there for them.

My children can’t wait.  Kyierra is an artist and she has drawn all sorts of designs for her room and what colors we’re going to paint our walls (they’ll be blue) and where we can hang pictures on our walls.  Most importantly, we will be able to afford to live. Talk about a big relief!

My next goal is to pay off my mortgage in 15 years! I am also really excited because my family has a tradition of each of my siblings hosting a holiday, and they’ve been holding the fourth of July for me.

The wait is almost over. I am almost there.   My Habitat Story is just getting started. The Scott family is ready to be home!”