PEG — Habitat for Humanity gives the chance of home ownership to low income families. Its’ “Women Build” program is about engaging women in that same mission and it was that arm of Habitat that helped Judith Davis-Parkinson and her family come to realize a dream they never thought possible.
She’s a loving mother from Jamaica who never envisioned moving to Canada. On a trip to Winnipeg in 2006 to visit her sister, she was encouraged to bring her family over – for good.
READ MORE: Manitoba students trade books for hammers to help Habitat for Humanity
After going through the immigration process, it seemed like before she even knew it, the entire family was together in Manitoba.
“I remember just starting out in one of my sister’s kids room and it was me and her and her two kids plus my three kids in the one room.”
It was a tough start for the family, but no matter how cramped their living conditions were they still never imagined having a place to call their own. One day a friend in her church community suggested she contact Habitat for Humanity. After a long process, she was shocked when her approval for a house came through in March 2012.
“You have to be able to afford it, qualify and all of that and I didn’t think it would be possible,” said Davis-Parkinson. “Even when I applied I was nervous, I had doubts. I was like, I’m not gonna make it but I’m gonna fill it out (application) anyway.”
It was a long process, filled with hundreds of volunteer hours with the organization. Qualifying families must complete 350 to 500 “sweat equity” hours. They also must purchase their home with a no money down interest free mortgage with payments geared to income rather than property value.
But the hours put in were definitely worth it.
Her dream of being a homeowner became a reality in October 2015. Knowing her family played a part in it all made the moment that much more special.
“When you pass on something to your kids and you know that they are able to put a nail in it that’s good – they have something to take to their children, their future.” said Davis-Parkinson.
The experience has proved to resonate a little more with one her kids as well.
“My son, he had finished high school and we were trying to decide where do you go – what do you want to do,” said Davis-Parkinson. ” coming here, working on the house and he working with the ladies and he was telling them that he thinks he can do this because he wants to go into building trade. And so, they were like are you sure?”
Her son TJ is now enrolled in the building trades program at Louis Riel Arts and Tech Collegiate.
It’s a future for her entire family filled with endless possibilities. Thanks in part to a home and all it can provide.
For more information on Habitat for Humanity or their Women Build program head to their website.
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