Powered by Positivity: Shannon’s Path to Homeownership

Powered by Positivity: Shannon’s Path to Homeownership

Shannon’s positivity radiates through every part of her life. It’s felt by her daycare class, her 11-year-old son, her sister, nieces and nephews, and everyone that surrounds her. 

As a single mom who is passionate about working with children, her life is dedicated to uplifting youth and creating joy and stability in their lives. 

“I always dreamed of working with kids,” Shannon said. “I love working with kids. That’s my passion. I love all my daycare kids. My daycare babies.”

Now, Shannon is embracing a new chapter that will create lasting change for her and her son: she’s becoming a homeowner. 

In partnership with Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity, Shannon is building a brand-new home for her and her son. 

“It’s a fresh start for me and him,” Shannon said. “I feel like if I can pay someone $900 in rent, I can pay that for my own home. This is ours and I can leave it behind for him. I’ll have a home that my baby can say is his home.” 

Through Milwaukee Habitat’s Affordable Homeownership program, Shannon will build a brand-new home with little-to-no down payment and an average mortgage payment of less than $950 a month. The program also includes financial education and home maintenance courses to help prepare her for homeownership.

“Right now, financially, it’s hard being a single parent,” Shannon said. “That’s the main thing this program will help me with. I don’t get help from his father. I love being a single parent but it’s hard. This program is helping me to be able to buy my own house and set me and my son up for our lives. It’s a big deal for me. I’m so excited to go through the financial classes. It will help me save better and manage money better. I will teach my son these things as well.”

When thinking about the impact homeownership will have on her son, Shannon recognizes the financial advantages it will bring him. However, she also feels the emotional significance it will hold, given the close bond they share.

“I think he will love the house,” Shannon said. “We can have a lot of company over. He can have school friends over. I’m [working to make] life great for him. My son always tells me how good of a mom I am, that he’s very appreciative and thankful. Everyday he wants to tell me about his day. He wants to tell me the good and the bad. If something happens at school, I’m the first person he calls. I’m his go-to. I try to love on him more… He’s the only child. In my mind, I’m all he has, me, my siblings and their kids. This will build structure. He has this stability.”

Shannon and her son are not alone in this journey, as her sister Rene is also working to become a Milwaukee Habitat homeowner. 

“We raise our kids together,” Shannon said. “We help each other.”

It was Rene who encouraged Shannon to apply. Since they were both accepted into the program, they’ve supported each other every step of the way.

“My sister helps me a lot,” Shannon said. “She said ‘don’t get stressed.’ I’m grateful for my sister. She’s my number one best friend. I feel like we are going through this process together. I’ve been babysitting for her while she does her sweat equity. Now, she can help me.”

As Shannon and her son move closer to homeownership, she remains grounded in optimism, even in the face of life’s challenges. 

“As hard as life can be, [life] is great,” Shannon said. “There is so much negativity, you have to be positive. What comes from positive but positive. Negative does no good. I hit hard breaks. You weep, but the best thing you can do is keep moving. If you stay in that rut, nothing comes.”

And Shannon is doing just that. She is moving forward, toward a brighter future.

“I think it will be one of the best moments of my life besides having my son,” Shannon said about becoming a homeowner. “I can’t even describe. I won’t know until I sit in it. Right now, I’m so excited. Sometimes I cry just thinking about it.”

As Shannon moves closer to becoming a first-time homebuyer, she knows this is more than just a house. It marks the beginning of a new chapter for her and her son. 

“My journey is just getting started,” Shannon said.