Raquel always dreamed of having a home of her own, but for a long time, fear and doubt held her back. "It took me three years to build the courage just to sign up," she said. “I had to push myself.”

For Raquel, the road to homeownership wasn’t easy, but it was filled with purpose. She knew that the only way she’d achieve her dream was through hard work. “If you’re not working towards it, you’re not going to get the thing that you hope to have,” she said. “Having a home through Iowa Heartland Habitat is something I knew I had to work for.”

Raquel’s motivation was her son, Stephen. “He is my pride and joy,” she said. “Everything I do is for him. He helps me be a better mom and a better person.”

Stephen drew a picture, and it showed a house with a note that read: Thank you for building our house. We really need this. The picture was laminated and used as daily inspiration. The volunteers would look at it each day and remind themselves, “This is who we are building for.”  

Before receiving the keys to her new home, Raquel accomplished a remarkable list of goals. She paid off her debt, bought a car, and graduated from college—all while working through the homeownership program. “I never thought I would have a home like this,” she said. “This is a dream come true, and I worked hard for it.”

Now that her dream has come true, Raquel isn’t done giving back. “I’ve learned that there are so many people who are blessed in this process,” she said. Even though she’s already moved in, she plans to keep volunteering. “I believe in this program so much, and I want people to see the greatness in it.”