Open Doors and a Big Heart

Open Doors and a Big Heart

LaShonda is the kind of neighbor everyone hopes to have. For years, she opened her doors to her children’s friends and cousins to make sure they had a good meal. She would write out dinner menus for the week so people would know what she was serving each day. 

“I always left the door open for them, because you don’t know what they’re going through,” LaShonda said. “To this day, they call me mom. They wish me a happy Mother’s Day.”

She prioritized others and now wants to increase her impact by buying a home of her own. She currently lives in an apartment and wants to have more room to help more people. She is ready to move out, own a home of her own, and open her doors. 

When she decided she wanted to become a homeowner, LaShonda started by looking on the open market. She discovered that the price many sellers wanted for their home did not equate to the home’s value. LaShonda knew a few people who went through Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity’s Affordable Homeownership program and decided to look into it.

After learning more about the program, she decided it was a great fit for her and her goals.

“I felt more comfortable with this process than the open market,” LaShonda said. 

LaShonda applied, was accepted into the program, and is now building her own brand-new home. Part of that process is spending time on site building her home and the homes of her neighbors. LaShonda is excited to dive into this new way to help the community.

“It is a good way to have something that’s yours and help build something for someone else,” LaShonda said. “You can help the community. A lot of homes are abandoned and rough-looking. I like [Habitat’s program]. This is a better cause for me. I like to help people. I have a big heart.”

Not only does LaShonda’s big heart extend to her community, but it also plays a large role in her family life. 

LaShonda has four children, the youngest of which is 20 years old. She wants to leave a legacy behind and teach them the value of investing, having good credit, and prioritizing their goals. LaShonda also wants her home to be a safe place for her grandchildren, including her 9 month old granddaughter.

“[This will help give] my granddaughter freedom,” LaShonda said. “I wanted more freedom for her. She can grow up in a different environment. She can get used to a home and say ‘this is grandma’s house’.”

Looking ahead, LaShonda is unsure how she will feel when she moves into her new home. 

“I might lay on the floor and just think about it and soak it all in,” LaShonda said. 

Despite not knowing how she will feel when she gets her keys, LaShonda knows one of the first things she will do. 

“I’ll definitely be barbequing,” LaShonda said. “The first thing I will do is throw a big barbeque to kick back and enjoy it all.”

With open doors and a big heart, there is no doubt that LaShonda will move into her new home and make a difference on her block and in her community.