In the face of the number of inhuman stories we have been seeing in recent months, when a story like the one we are about to tell appears, it reconciles you a little with the world. A single mother of two teenage children, a truck driver, imagine the very long hours on the road, had only one dream, to have her own home. It seemed that every time she got closer to her dream, it moved two steps further away, like the horizon according to Galeano.
But she achieved it, because the world is not as bad as some want us to believe, and this story is worth telling.
A new door
This is the story of Salisia Pascoe, a woman who had spent years juggling work, bills and raising her children because she is a single mother, and no one who has not lived it can imagine the challenge that represents.
The idea was to buy a home on the traditional market, but being realistic and with how the situation is in many places, it was impossible. Prices keep rising and banking requirements are not very friendly.
A different opportunity
That is where a program promoted by Habitat for Humanity and the support of a local medical institution from Phoebe that donated the land appeared, and the story began to change.
Phoebe donated the land, fully financed the construction and provided volunteer labor to finish the project… but what project?
A social housing program
The key point of the program was that to receive the house, families had to actively participate in the community. And that is what Salisia and her children did. Hours of volunteer work related to construction and other community activities meant that, after a lot of effort, and after having worked on their own home, the sense of belonging was already there.
“I could not have dreamed of this, I dreamed of having my own home but I did not think it was possible” said Pascoe.
A home that represents much more
The house has an approximate value of 200,000 dollars, but the program offered conditions adapted to Salisia including a long term interest free mortgage and that is what made the word “stability” truly meaningful. Because when you have children, honestly, it is everything, not having to move every so often, that your children have a place where they can grow and that is “theirs”.
The moment of delivery
The ceremony was very emotional, family members, friends and members of the community were all present. After so many miles traveled, so many efforts made, finally having a fixed place to call home.
Sometimes we forget that behind every statistic or number about housing there are people, real stories of people who struggle, wake up early and work very hard while making it to the end of the month with just enough salary.
Beyond just a house
Access to housing has become practically impossible, both young and older people face the same problem, we cannot buy a home, it is impossible. Even for those with stable jobs, housing has become increasingly complicated, and in some way, when organizations, community and companies come together, real solutions can appear.
More than bricks
Not everything is numbers, as we say, behind every number there is a story, and this is the story of a woman who can finally “rest” after giving her children a dignified roof. Whatever happens, that house is now hers and she can finally call it home.
From the organization they assured that they are working to complete four more homes and approve four more family applications for this 2026. How true it is that only the people save the people. Enjoy your new home, Salisia!