MEDIA INVITE: TODAY: Hobby Lobby Team Lead, Single Mother of Three, Celebrates New Habitat Home Dedication in OKC

OKLAHOMA CITY — As a single mother of three who works as a Hobby Lobby team lead, Kimberly V., 39, understands the importance of stability. She and her daughters once had only 30 days to move out of their former home and find a new place to live.

Kimberly soon won’t have to worry about moving on short notice or sharing a home with others. Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity will dedicate Kimberly’s new Habitat home at 2 p.m. TODAY, May 7, in Oklahoma City.

When Kimberly wrote about her need for a home in her Habitat application, she said that, as a single mother with only one income, she faced “significant hardship” in buying an affordable home in today’s economy.

“My need for a Habitat home is rooted in stability,” Kimberly said. “I want my children to have a safe place that will always be recognized as their home. When my family and I were given only 30 days to move out of our previous residence, the stress of deciding where to live was overwhelming for all of us.”

Moving into her parents’ three-bedroom home was a temporary blessing, but it wasn’t ideal for Kimberly or her daughters, Ariel, 18, Aryanna, 17, and Amiyah, 12. Some of her daughters are allergic to her parents’ pets.

Kimberly said homeownership will bring her family peace of mind, comfort and a sense of accomplishment. She also sees the home as a step toward generational change, providing a stable place not only for the two children who still live with her, but also, someday, for future grandchildren.

“Given my background, owning a home where my children can grow and thrive has always been a dream,” Kimberly said. “My heart will be at peace knowing my door is always open should my children ever need a place to return to.”

Habitat Chair/CEO Ann Felton Gilliland said Kimberly’s home is the nonprofit’s 1,161st home built since 1990.

“We are so happy for Kimberly and her family,” Felton Gilliland said. “Research shows that children in Habitat homes are healthier and perform better in school. Homeownership also helps families save money — funds that are often reinvested in their children’s education.”

Habitat homeowners must qualify for a standard mortgage, help build their own and others’ homes through sweat equity and buy their homes at cost with no down payment.

To learn more, call 405-232-4828, visit www.cohfh.org or text MAKEHOMEHAPPEN to 50155 to support affordable housing in Central Oklahoma.

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