Rebuilding a Life, One Step at a Time

Ashley’s journey to homeownership is one of perseverance, transformation, and hope. After experiencing childhood trauma, she struggled with addiction for nearly 20 years—leading her down a path that included time in prison, homelessness, and caused her to lose custody of her son. “Sometimes I didn’t even know where I was going to stay,” she shares.

But Ashley made the decision to change her life.

Through faith and determination, she found stability—taking meaningful steps to turn her life around, including securing a job at the Tulsa County Courthouse, obtaining an expungement, and working toward a pardon. As she rebuilt her life, she also achieved something deeply meaningful: regaining custody of her son.

Determined to continue her path toward a better future, Ashley applied to Habitat’s Homebuyer Program but wasn’t initially accepted. She then took control of her finances, paying off $8,000 in debt to become eligible for homeownership.

Now, she’s proud to own a home where she and her son can feel safe, grow, and build a future together. “I never thought I would have a house,” she says. “It’s such a blessing.”

Through the program’s classes, Ashley gained the knowledge and confidence to succeed as a homeowner. And while she’s excited for the stability, she’s also looking forward to something simple: having a garage where she can work on her car.

For Ashley, this home is more than a place to live—it’s a fresh start and a foundation for her son’s future. “It’s life-changing,” she says. “I’m just so thankful.”

Congratulations, Ashley—and special thanks to Firstar Bank for providing an affordable mortgage.

Habitat believes that everyone deserves a place to call home. Apply or share our home purchasing opportunity with others: