More than a Concept

More than a Concept

Since the age of 17, Maikayla has been on her own. Today, she’s building something entirely new for her family. She is building a future where her three-year-old daughter will grow up knowing the safety, stability, and opportunity of homeownership.

“My family is from Puerto Rico,” Maikayla said. “They came here with nothing and established the best life they could for me and since then I’ve been doing that for me and my child.”

Homeownership was an unfamiliar concept in Maikayla’s family, but after learning more from coworkers, she began exploring what it would mean to own a home. At first, she thought that homeownership was out of reach for her.

“They have a different life than me,” Maikayla said. “It’s normal for their parents to own a home. I started researching homeownership. It would be almost impossible for me because I don’t have that same beginning.”

When she learned about Milwaukee Habitat’s Affordable Homeownership Program, she knew it was the right fit for her family. 

“There’s the community aspect that I thought was awesome,” Maikayla said. “I grew up doing community clean ups and things like that. Being a part of making the community more family oriented is one of the biggest reasons I chose this. I also needed something affordable and a yard safe for my child. There’s so many reasons. Community and family.” 

Maikayla applied and is now building a brand-new home for her and her daughter in partnership with Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity. 

Homeownership is not something Maikayla grew up familiar with. 

“It’s not even a concept in my family,” Maikayla said. “There is a limited understanding in that world. They are doing what they did for a normal, basic life. My Grandma came here with a third grade education. My Grandpa had none. He sold bananas.”

Raised by her grandparents, Maikayla has always valued family, and those are values she is now passing on to her daughter. 

“The concept of family is something I taught her from a young age,” Maikayla said. “I remember helping my grandma cook. I cannot wait to provide that experience for her. It’ll be a full circle moment for me.” 

Maikayla is also excited to give her daughter space to explore her interests.

“My daughter, she loves the outdoors,” Maikayla said. “I want to give her a yard. She also loves plants. Those are things I want to give her one day. Obviously I didn’t have that. I want safety for her…She loves reading, puzzles, flash cards, she likes to learn. She talks a lot; her insight is crazy to me. It’s pretty cool. She also loves rainbows, unicorns, and bright lights. She loves to take walks with me. She points out tree colors to me.”

When they move into their new home, her daughter will experience those joys in a place of their own. She will also grow up knowing what homeownership is and experiencing the stability and security that come with it. 

“It’s a blessing [that she’s going to know about homeownership],” Maikayla said. “Keeping her beside me, learning to take care of herself by herself. She will learn appreciation. I’m excited for her to not endure hardships and struggles, knowing she has a home with her mom.”

Maikayla works hard to provide for her daughter while also pursuing her own passions. 

“I’m a licensed mortician and a published artist in Milwaukee; I’m a rapper,” Maikayla said.

On top of being a mom, working as a mortician, and being an artist, she is now adding homeownership to her list. 

“Homeownership is going to be a big experience for both me and my daughter,” Maikayla said. “For me to learn and feel that safety, there’s not a price you can put on that.”

Habitual Volunteers

During her homeownership journey, Maikayla will not be alone. Maikayla’s home is sponsored by Milwaukee Habitat Habituals. Habituals are volunteers who commit to volunteering regularly, with many volunteering multiple days each week. This year, they also raised enough money to sponsor a home. 

Because community and family are so important to her, she was thrilled to learn she would be building alongside this dedicated group of volunteers. 

“I heard about the Habituals and I got excited,” Maikayla said. “It’s an honor to be here.”

At the end of her journey, surrounded by the support of the Habitat community, Maikayla will officially become a homeowner. 

“I’m going to cry,” Maikayla said. “I know I am. One of those things where you take it all in. All these hard moments lead up to this moment. It’s going to feel amazing. It’s kind of scary, this whole journey in itself. But having my daughter with me, she’ll know it’s home. It’ll be a safe space for me, a new beginning for me and my daughter.”

Early in her journey, Maikayla said that homeownership was “not even a concept” in her family. Soon, she will become the first person to change that. When she receives the keys to her home, she won’t just become a homeowner; she’ll create a new beginning for the next generation. For her daughter, homeownership won’t just be a dream or an unfamiliar concept. It will simply be home.