Her Why: A Place Her Children Can Always Come Back To

For Kendrea, purchasing a Habitat home is about doing her best for her family, which includes two middle schoolers and a son enrolled at Forsyth Tech. “I want them to always have a place of their own to come back to. That really was the determining factor for me,” she said.

Kendrea feels that her family has been fortunate to rent the same house for about 10 years, but she was ready to leave behind the uncertainty that comes with renting. She was familiar with Habitat through a couple of friends who had become homeowners, so she decided to apply. “Our landlord has been pretty good to us, but whenever you’re renting, a landlord can always decide to sell. I decided now was the time to pursue getting a home of my own and I was happy I was able to get into the Habitat program.”

Kendrea has balanced the Habitat requirements with being a busy mom and her work as a scheduler for Atrium Health. Her Habitat journey has taught her a lot, she said. “I look back at everything we’ve learned in the classes, about saving, about wills and other things you need to have in place. I’m 45 now, and these are things I did not learn in school. I’m hoping to get my kids on the right path with always putting away some savings.”

She talks about Habitat to other prospective homeowners and recently offered encouraging words to a new group of families recently accepted into the program. “Everything is so uncertain now with the economy. If you want to have something of your own and you have an opportunity to get into a program like Habitat, you should go for it!”

Celebrate Two New Homes in Happy Hill

On Tuesday, September 24, Habitat Forsyth will host back-to-back home dedications as two families receive the keys to their new homes in Happy Hill.

• 4:00 PM — Moss Family, 1355 Free Street, Winston-Salem
• 4:45 PM — Fulton Family, 1385 Free Street, Winston-Salem

These ceremonies are a joyful milestone — marking the end of construction and the beginning of a new chapter for each family. All are welcome to join us as we celebrate together with the community.

As we honor these new beginnings, we’re also looking ahead. Our Raise the Roof: 40 Years. 1 More Home. Endless Futures. campaign is building a special 40th Anniversary Home. You can help make the next dedication possible by supporting this effort today at habitatforsyth.org/raisetheroof/

Catch Habitat in Action This September!

Habitat Forsyth is excited to be out in the community this September! On September 20, you’ll find us at the vibrant Fiesta! Festival celebration downtown, connecting with families and highlighting ways to get involved. From September 22–23, we’ll be part of NC Drone Con, the first conference of its kind in the Southeast, bringing together leaders and innovators to explore the future of drone technology and its impact on communities.

And on September 27, look for Habitat ReStore furniture staged at Bookmarks’ author events — showcasing both style and sustainability. Each of these events is a wonderful opportunity to spread the word about Habitat and strengthen our ties across the community.

Empower the Next Generation: Become a YEP! Volunteer Today

Habitat Forsyth’s Youth Empowerment Program (YEP!) was created to cultivate experiences and provide meaningful opportunities for teens in Forsyth County, with a special focus on youth from low-income households and underserved areas of our community.

We are seeking caring and engaged volunteers to serve as mentors and role models. As a YEP! volunteer, you may:

• Chaperone trips and activities
• Participate in program days alongside teens
• Ride with youth to events and serve as a trusted adult presence
• Share motivational stories and life skills
• Encourage, support, and empower teens to reach their full potential

Your time and presence can make a lasting difference in a young person’s life. For more information, visit Youth Empowerment Program • Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County or contact programco@habitatforsyth.org.