With the Help of Family

Once they were accepted into Habitat for Humanity of Omaha’s Homeownership Program, both Christa and Shawn adjusted their work schedules in order to attend the eight required classes and work as many hours of sweat equity as they could every week, so they could select their own home.

“They were very motivated,” said Arlett, Christa’s mother.

Like all prospective Habitat Omaha homeowners, they looked at several houses available to them and both were drawn to a Craftsman style house that felt like home. It was easy to see why, even before renovations began, the house was full of potential and character and is situated near family and the elementary school their children will attend.

Standing in the backyard, they can point in any direction and name a relative living nearby, including a cousin, Glenda, right next door, something they only realized after Arlett shared several news stories about Shawn and Christa’s new home on social media.

“I’d have come if I’d known it was family,” said Glenda, referring to the build kickoff. Their home was one of Habitat Omaha’s Executive Build projects; that kick-off event was attended by Mayor Jean Stothert, as well as representatives of the 11 businesses sponsoring it, Habitat Omaha employees and members of both homeowner’s families.

To support the young couple Arlett asked for volunteers and arranged a family build day, with her sister and several cousins spending a Saturday with her and her husband, Gregory, working alongside Christa and Shawn.

No stranger to Habitat, Arlett first volunteered through her employer, First National Bank and has since organized an annual day of service bringing members of her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, in to work on the Women Build house, as well as coordinating a Nickels for Nails fundraising campaign.

Under the supervision of a Habitat Omaha Crew Leader, the group helped rebuild a detached garage at Christa and Shawn’s home. To commemorate the occasion, Arlett designed T-shirts for everyone who volunteered. That first day was so successful she decided to do one every month until the house was completed.

Imagining the day her daughter and family would move into their new home, Arlett said, “It’s wonderful, to know when they move in that we helped.”