The Peace Zone: Tiffany’s New Home

The Peace Zone: Tiffany’s New Home

Tiffany has dedicated her life to caring for children. Whether teaching at the YMCA, raising her own children, or nurturing her grandchildren, she has made a positive impact on the lives of many.

Tiffany has worked at the YMCA in childcare for over 11 years and currently teaches three and four-year olds. She loves her job, dedicating her time to caring for the children, teaching, and creating lesson plans that both educate and inspire the kids in her classroom. 

Outside of her work, Tiffany is a proud mother of four and grandmother of six. She has lived in the same rental home for 16 years, a place she has enjoyed. When she first moved in, her youngest daughter was just four years old. Now, with her daughter grown and starting her own journey, Tiffany no longer needs the large home she raised her children in. She wants a home she can call her own.

Tiffany was familiar with Habitat for Humanity, and as she researched the program further, she was inspired by the stories of Habitat homeowners. This motivated her to apply for Milwaukee Habitat’s Affordable Homeownership program. 

After applying to Milwaukee Habitat’s Affordable Homeownership program multiple times, Tiffany finally received the message she had been hoping for on her third attempt. She had been accepted into the program and could move forward in the home-buying process. 

“I saw some of the [Habitat] houses and read people’s stories, and I tried one more time,” Tiffany said. “That’s why I am here.”

Tiffany is now building a brand new, three bedroom home in Milwaukee’s King Park neighborhood.

“I’m going to enjoy it to the fullest,” Tiffany said. “I’m going to be there until the end and it will be something I can call my own. That’s what I want to do, have something different, something new for myself.”

Tiffany’s children have been by her side throughout the process, offering support every step of the way.

“They motivate me,” Tiffany said. “They say ‘you got it. You didn’t come this far.’ I listen to them and I just keep going. ‘You deserve it, Mom’ [they tell me].”

Now that Tiffany is officially working through the homeownership process, she is envisioning what her new home will look like. 

“I will furnish it how I want,” Tiffany said. “I want the living room to be turquoise and black and I will have a silver bedroom set. One room I will have as a sitting room and the other room will be for the grandkids…My kitchen is not as big right now; the kitchen is so nice [in the Habitat homes].”

A Habitat home kitchen in the final states of construction.

She also knows what she will call her home.

“I will call it my peace zone,” Tiffany said. 

As she envisions what her home will look like, she also reflects on what it will feel like.

“I did it. I made it. I’m going to be so happy that I have something to call my own,” Tiffany said.

After a lifetime of caring for others, Tiffany is now creating a space that brings her comfort and peace. Her “peace zone” will not just be a house, but a testament to her hard work, resilience, and the love she’s poured into those around her.