From Setbacks to Success

From Setbacks to Success

Miranda understands the importance of dedication and determination—qualities she embodies. Before pursuing her dream of homeownership, she made it a priority to establish stability in her work and education.

Miranda works for the post office while pursuing her education in early childhood development. She dreams of opening a childcare center and eventually a preschool. With her determination and commitment to learning, she is focused on achieving her goals.

“As an adult, you never stop learning,” Miranda said. “The older you get, you never stop learning. For me, it’s amazing.” 

As she continues to accomplish work and education goals, she is determined to add homeownership to the list – and she’s well on her way.

Miranda is currently building a brand-new home for her and her son through Milwaukee Habitat’s Affordable Homeownership program. Although she is in the program now, it was not an easy journey to get here.

“When I first applied to Habitat, I got discouraged because I got denied,” Miranda said. “I’m very spiritual and close with God. I talk to him a lot and said…. ‘If it was meant for me to go down this path, lead me to what I need to do to accomplish this.’”

Her spirituality and her son continued to motivate her. 

“I want to show my son there’s more to life than just renting,” Miranda said. “I wanted to be able to own. My son was a big influence.”

One day, she received an email and knew she needed to apply for her dream one more time. 

“An email came through that the Habitat waitlist opened back up. I said ‘I’ll apply one more time; it can’t hurt.’ I applied again and in the next couple months, someone reached out and basically told me I was approved. 

I was like ‘I can probably do this.’ I don’t know a lot of people that own homes. I thought of it as me being an example of never giving up and doing what you want with your life. Whatever you put your mind to, you can do it.”

As Miranda becomes that example, she reflects on what this opportunity means to her.

“It’s really mind blowing. I have been wanting this for years, and I honestly never thought I would get to this place and time where I could ever do this. I’m just ecstatic I have an opportunity to now do this. 

I guess it’s a sense of achievement. I will be the first homeowner out of my mom and dad’s kids. I’ll be the only one that owns a home…I’m breaking generational curses and there are so many emotions. Overall being excited. This is something I’ve been wanting and applying to for years. For me, it’ll most definitely be unbelievable. It’s been a long, long journey and took a lot of patience.” 

As Miranda envisions the moment when she officially moves in, she thinks she will do something a little out of character.

“I probably will cry, and I’m not a crybaby,” Miranda said.