A Place to Thrive: Cynthia's Habitat Home

Cynthia couldn’t be more delighted with her new Habitat home. “I am feeling ecstatic and full of joy and love,” she says.

Cynthia applied to the Habitat program in 2023 after getting discouraged with trying to buy a home on her own. “I got preapproved for a loan, but I could not afford a home in a safe neighborhood, so I didn’t go forward with that process. I really felt stuck in apartment living.”

A friend who is a Habitat homeowner spoke very highly about the program and encouraged Cynthia to apply. “The Habitat program has been a journey, and I have appreciated it every step of the way. The financial classes have been very, very helpful in teaching us how to save and how to have an emergency fund. The food and nutrition classes taught us how to extend our money through good shopping. I got to give back to the community through volunteer hours. The Habitat staff should be applauded for all the hard work they do.”



Now that she has her home, Cynthia looks forward to giving back to Habitat. At her home dedication, a family friend presented a check for $1,000 to Habitat. “The community needs to support one another,” Cynthia says. “The more volunteers and donations we have, the more we can do in the community. I plan to be an annual donor to Habitat. It may not be much, but I plan to donate because I want to give back and pay it forward.”

Homeowner Voices: Habitat Forsyth at Habitat on the Hill

This month, Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County was proudly represented in Washington, D.C. at Habitat on the Hill 2026 — Habitat for Humanity International’s premier legislative conference.

Representing our affiliate were Director of ReStore Operations Gena Fisher and Board Member Denise Hunt — both Habitat homeowners — bringing lived experience and powerful perspective to national housing advocacy conversations.

Nearly 500 advocates from across the country gathered for three days of policy discussions, training sessions, and collaboration. Attendees met with federal leaders to advocate for increased and sustained investment in proven housing programs, while also advancing innovative solutions to address affordable housing challenges nationwide.

For Habitat Forsyth, this moment was especially meaningful. When Habitat homeowners step into leadership and advocacy roles, they help ensure housing policy conversations are grounded in real stories, real families, and real community impact.

“Getting to share my story and advocate for affordable housing was such an amazing experience. Habitat changed my life, and I’m passionate about making sure more families have that same opportunity.”

— Gena Fisher, Director of ReStore Operations & Habitat Homeowner

Through opportunities like Habitat on the Hill, Habitat Forsyth continues to strengthen its voice in advancing policies that help expand access to safe, affordable housing across our community and beyond.