A Mother’s Strength, a Community’s Promise

For Martha, being a mother has always come with unwavering love and deep sacrifice. As a 44-year-old single mom of four, she’s dedicated her life to giving her children a future filled with hope, even when the road has been anything but easy.

Today, her two youngest, Kairah, 16, and Orlando, 11, still live at home. Martha works full-time as a medical receptionist, doing everything she can to support her family. But despite her tireless efforts, their living conditions have remained difficult. Their current townhome, while offering more space than past apartments, has become increasingly unlivable. Black mold creeps from the vents, and the home is drafty during cold Tennessee winters. On top of that, the rent continues to climb, stretching her already tight budget further each month.

"There were times we were all crammed into a two-bedroom apartment," Martha shares. “I was working two jobs and going to school, just trying to give my kids something better. Even now, with everything I do, it feels like it’s never enough. The rent goes up, but nothing improves."

It was a best friend who sent her the link to Habitat for Humanity of Sumner County. “I applied right away, never in a million years did I think I’d be accepted,” she says. But when she was, it changed everything.

“Working with Habitat has shown me that I am worthy of good things,” Martha says. “I’ve met so many kind people along the way. I finally feel like my dream of owning a home is coming true. That’s always been one of my biggest goals, to give my kids a safe place where they know they belong.”

For Martha, homeownership isn’t just about bricks and walls, it’s about peace of mind. It means holidays where she can host family and friends, enough room to start new traditions, and, most importantly, a place where her children can feel secure and proud of the life they’ve built together.

“Parents carry the weight of the world on our shoulders,” she says. “But this home will finally give us peace. I can focus on what matters instead of always worrying about how to get by.”

Martha is a shining example of what happens when determination meets opportunity, and how a community can rally around a family to help them thrive.

Your support makes this possible. Every donation, every hour volunteered, helps families like Martha’s find strength, stability, and a true sense of home.