Where Love Lives: Charmaine’s Habitat Journey

Where Love Lives: Charmaine’s Habitat Journey

Charmaine approaches life with love. Whether that is for her family, her work, or her community, the love and care she gives to others are what drive her in everything she does.

Charmaine is a mother of three adult sons and has worked in a coronary intensive care unit for nearly a decade. She gives her all to both her family and her patients.

“My greatest asset are my children,” Charmaine said. “They have made my life amazing… I love my job yet it can be so emotionally draining. I get so close with the patient families and I love seeing them go home.”

Ever since she was young, she’s also dreamed of putting her heart into another endeavor: homeownership. 

“I’ve always wanted to own my own home,” Charmaine said. “I want a home that my kids could always come back to, a foundation, a safe place.”

When she first started looking for homes, Charmaine was met with high prices and uncomfortable living conditions. 

“The houses I could afford, I couldn’t live there,” she said. “The houses that I wanted, I couldn’t afford.”

Then, her sister recommended Milwaukee Habitat, and she applied.

Employees from MGIC, the sponsor of Charmaine’s home, panelizing walls in Milwaukee Habitat’s woodshop

“I looked up the program and it’s a fresh start,” Charmaine said. “It’s a fresh foundation. I can start off new.”

Now, Charmaine is building a brand-new three-bedroom home that she and her sons can always call their own. 

“They are excited for me because they know I’ve always wanted this,” she said. 

Charmaine’s youngest son is studying nursing at UWM, her middle child is studying software engineering, and her oldest son graduated with a marketing degree and now works in the trades.

“I’m my kids biggest fan,” Charmaine said. “No matter what life throws at them, good or bad, they can come to me with anything.”

Charmaine has made it a priority to raise her sons with love and instill in them what her mother once taught her.

“My mom was amazing,” Charmaine said. “Because I came from greatness I have nothing but greatness to give…Kids give you so much joy and make your life meaningful. I tell them you don’t know anyone’s story. I work hard to provide for you. Don’t look down on anybody. You got a meal when you come home. You got a snack and a bedtime story. People don’t have that and I think everyone needs that.”

When Charmaine moves into her new home, her sons will know that not only do they have a loving and strong mother to turn to, but they also have a safe home.

“They know this is their safe place,” she said. “They know they can always be together here. If life gets hard, I can go home. My mom would do the same. I always wanted to create that space for my kids.”

This house will not only be open to her sons, but to her extended family as well. Charmaine comes from a large family and loves hosting parties and holidays. As Christmas approaches, she imagines what it will look like in their new home: a day full of laughter, good food, and great company.

“I’m so goofy; we laugh a lot in my family,” Charmaine said. “If you come over, they’re going to feed you, and you’ll leave with your cheeks hurting and stomach hurting, all from laughing.”

As she looks ahead to life in her new home, Charmaine envisions the moment she gets the keys and the house officially becomes hers.

“I think I’m going to have a lot of emotions,” she said. “I might be a little overwhelmed. I will literally drop down to my knees and pray. I will thank God. It’s been a long time coming. I will feel gratefulness, blessed. I’m definitely going to cry. I’m such a crier.”

When that moment comes, Charmaine’s love will fill the home, celebrating her journey and the loving foundation she has built for her family.