When Shanette first picked up the phone to call Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity, she was simply curious about building a home for her family. What she discovered instead was something that would change the course of her life: the Blueprints Financial Coaching Program.

As a mother of three—two teenage boys, both 15, and a 4-year-old daughter—Shanette dreamed of giving her children a stable, comfortable place to grow up. Renting had its limitations. “There’s only so much you can do in their house,” she explained. “A lot of people won’t let you paint your house, or even change the curtains.”

That’s when she was introduced to the Blueprints Financial Coaching program, one program Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity offers to accomplish homeownership. Blueprints provides personalized financial coaching to individuals aiming to achieve homeownership by securing a loan through a bank or credit union. Upon program completion, participants may be eligible for down payment assistance of up to $15,000 and a home repair loan for up to 2 years post-purchase. For Shanette, this program felt like the perfect path for her homeownership journey. 

Before Blueprints Financial Coaching, saving money felt nearly impossible. “The biggest challenge I faced was saving money,” she admitted. “I love spending.” But through coaching, Shanette began to understand her finances—where her money was going and how she could take control. She started using a budget book and even began setting aside part of her paycheck in a savings account. “It’s out of sight, out of mind,” she said.

One-on-one coaching with Amanda, a trusted staff member through Iowa Heartland Habitat, made a big difference. “I knew I could always ask Amanda questions about anything,” Shanette said. That support helped her stay motivated and focused on her goals.

Today, Shanette has something she once only dreamed about: her own home. Her kids are thrilled to have space to run, play, and just be themselves. And for Shanette, owning a home means more than just walls and a roof—it’s a chance to express her personality, to decorate the way she wants, and to build a future.

She shares her story often, telling others about how the Blueprints program helped her get to where she is now. “Before I leave this world,” she says, “I want my kids to have something.”

Thanks to her hard work—and the support from Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity—Shanette now has exactly that: a home filled with love, memories, and hope for the future.