Leaving a Legacy through Habitat Homeownership

Adrine W. brought her daughter, Emmanuelle, from the Republic of Cameroon to the United States in 2017. Although they faced “difficult times,” Adrine was determined to succeed in her new country. She trusted God and earned a degree from Oklahoma State University.

By 2024, Adrine was a grateful U.S. citizen working as a radiologic technologist for SSM Health, and Emmanuelle was thriving in the fifth grade.

On Nov. 7, 2024, Adrine celebrated the purchase of her new, energy-efficient and affordable home during a Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity (COHFH) dedication at Cornerstone Creek. She said the home was part of the legacy she wanted to leave for her daughter.

“It’s a great opportunity for me today,” Adrine said during the dedication. “I want to thank America for this opportunity and for being a homeowner. With inflation today, getting a house is difficult, and I’m grateful.”

In her Habitat homebuyer program application, Adrine wrote that she wanted to purchase a house where Emmanuelle could feel “at home and secure” as they shaped their American dream in “this amazing country.”

“I want to leave her a legacy, and this house is a big part of it,” Adrine said.

Central Oklahoma Habitat homeowner Adrine W. poses with COHFH Board Member Hunter Garrett during her November 2024 home dedication.