“We will have a place to call OURS. We will be able to make decisions together about OUR home.”

Lawanda Jackson is a Utility Maintenance Apprentice for the City of St.Petersburg and a single mother to three children. Her oldest, Kaiden, is 8-years-old and enjoys playing football, video games, fishing, and going to the park. Kaliyah is 7-years-old and likes art, skating, quiet time to herself, and drones. Her youngest, Aviana, is 5-years-old and loves talking, skating, doing hair, dancing, and music. As a family, the Jackson’s love to spend time together watching movies. When asked to desribe her family, Lawanda responded with “We are a devoted family. We changed each others lives. We are adoring in our own ways: very affectionate, boisterous, close knit. We stay respectfully close and playful with a lot of laughter on a daily basis. We express forgiveness and speak kindly to each other.”

The Jackson Family’s living situation and daily routine has been very stressful and challenging to keep up with. Where they are currently living, they are experiencing sewer problems as well as simply not being able to feel comfortable. It has been hard on everyone. So, Lawanda decided to apply for the Habitat for Humanity program to help improve the wellbeing of her family and allow her children to have a safe and comfortable place to grow.

After receiving the news that she was accepted into the program, Lawanda was in disbelief. “We are finally going to have our own home…OUR own home.” Becoming a homeowner will give her the stability and security that she has always dreamed of for her family. “I’m most looking forward to helping build my family foundation.”

Many of our homeowners, such as Lawanda and her family, purchase their furniture from our Habitat ReStores, where new and gently used building materials and home furnishings are sold at discounted prices. If you are interested in donating, shopping, or volunteering at our ReStores, please check out our ReStore Page on our website for more information.