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Partner Family Stories
The Boatright Family
For Ruth and Derek Boatright, having the opportunity to provide a safe and affordable home for their family was a dream come true. Before partnering with Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity, the Boatrights' and their four children lived in a house with leaky walls and cramped rooms. Two of the children had to sleep in an un-insulated basement that was cold during the winter and flooded during the spring. One of their sons suffers from muscular dystrophy, which made it difficult for him to move around in a home with multiple levels. In 2009, their dream became a reality.
Throughout the entire build, the Boatright Family always felt like LAHFH was there for them. "We never felt alone," said Ruth. "With the help of Lake Agassiz Habitat, we always felt so welcome in the community."
Through their partnership with Habitat, the Boatrights' were able to build a home where their children can grow and thrive. Now that their son is in a wheelchair full-time, the handicap accessible home provides an opportunity for him to move around freely and independently. For daughter Damara, their old home cannot even compare to their new Habitat home. "It is in a nice neighborhood," she said. "We're able to play with friends and feel safe."
"Habitat helps people achieve their dreams," believes Ruth, "and we will never take that for granted."
The Graham Family
For years, friends of Coreen Graham had been encouraging her to apply for a Habitat home. "I never thought we would be selected," said Coreen, "I knew there were other families that needed help as well."
The Graham family, Coreen and her children Austin and Raquel, lived in a three bedroom trailer home. Even though she tried her hardest to fix any major issues, there was still mold in the kitchen, a hole in the roof, and electrical problems. "When you would plug in too many things, the walls would heat up and it would smell like dead fish," remembers daughter Raquel.
Finally, Coreen submitted an application with Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity in the hope that her family would be selected and she would be able to provide a safer home for her children. A few months later, Coreen was notified that her family would have the opportunity to partner with LAHFH in constructing their new home in Moorhead.
Coreen was part of the process every step of the way. Though they were not old enough to volunteer on a build site, her children were encouraged to volunteer as well; Austin volunteered at Habitat ReStore, and Raquel took pictures during construction. "I think I stopped by the build site every day, even when I couldn't volunteer," remembers Graham, "I was just so excited!"
To the Graham family, their home means so much more than a roof over their heads. Proudly displayed in their house today, is a plaque that reads, "A house is made of bricks and beams, a home is made of hopes and dreams".
The Shields Family
Paul and Takeema Shields were inspired to apply for a Habitat home for one reason only, their children. Before Habitat, they were living in a cramped, three bedroom apartment, with their 4 young children and one on the way. For Paul and Takeema, their priority has always been to make sure they can provide for their children and they dreamt of owning a home of their own. "When I was growing up, I never had the privilege of a home," stated Takeema. "We moved from place to place. I didn't want that for my children. I didn't want my children to have the fear I experienced of wondering where I would sleep at night."
With their new home in West Fargo, the family has been able to move forward in their lives in ways they never thought possible. With Takeema looking towards starting an at home daycare, the future is very bright. "Habitat just lifted away so much fear from our lives," reflects Takeema, "Paul and I have this greater sense of confidence and strength that we never had before."
While the family understands that with homeownership comes a greater responsibility, they never take their opportunity for granted. "It's hard to explain what homeownership means to me," said Paul, "It's something that people work for their entire lives but sometimes never get to experience. Without Habitat, we may not have made it. We were able to achieve the American Dream. I'll be grateful to Habitat my entire life."
