Building Memories

It’s 4:00 a.m. It has been a long day and although there’s a lot of unpacking to do, Cynethia can’t stop smiling as she realizes her dream of becoming a homeowner has finally come true.

“I ran around the house screaming and my kids just watched me and laughed,” Cynethia said. “This was such a big accomplishment for me.”

Cynethia vividly remembers March 18, 2019. It was the day her family was finally home. She signed her mortgage papers in the morning, worked that afternoon and moved into their home that same night.

It wasn’t an easy journey for Cynethia and her five children. When Cynethia heard about Habitat for Humanity of Omaha’s Homeownership Program, she was ready to make the necessary sacrifices to purchase her first home.

“I liked Habitat’s mission,” she said. “I liked that I had to earn something versus it be given to me.”

Determined to pay off her debt, Cynethia got a second job. For six months, she worked from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. She missed spending time with her children and knew they missed her too.

After moving in, Cynethia decided to take them on a family trip to thank them for their support. They headed to Florida for Christmas and visited Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Legoland.

“I want to take them out so they can see other states,” she said. “I let them choose where to go and they picked Florida.”

As she looks around her house, almost a year after moving in, Cynethia still can’t stop smiling.

“I worked hard and it’s ours,” she said.

The home has allowed them to spend quality time together. They enjoy getting to know their neighbors, playing outside and sledding down a nearby hill. On Sundays, the family either has a game night or goes out to eat.

Cynethia has hosted a housewarming party, a 4th of July celebration, Thanksgiving dinner and a birthday party. She is looking forward to building more memories together and celebrating her daughter’s high school graduation next year.

“Our home will be in our family for many years to come,” Cynethia said. “I worked hard for it. I’m proud of myself and I’m happy that I was able to show my kids that if they put their mind to it and are really dedicated, then they can achieve what they want.”