by Sophie Webster
Meeting new Habitat homeowners is special. Listening to their stories on their journey to homeownership is inspiring, heart-wrenching and, ultimately, uplifting. This year Habitat Vail Valley had 137 people apply for Timber Ridge homeownership. Recently, we were lucky to be able to meet 12 of the new homeowners who have lived here, created lives here, built strong relationships and are important members of our community and workforce.
Sammy
Sammy is originally from Texas but moved to Eagle County to follow his passion for teaching music. Almost immediately, it became increasingly difficult to afford housing, and Sammy was faced with the harsh possibility of leaving behind what he loved so much. Thankfully, this threat never became a reality, and Sammy will be moving into Timber Ridge, where he will have the opportunity to continue sharing his love for music. “I am entering my seventh-year teaching elementary music and looking for opportunities to share music in the valley… I can continue growing in this community without fear that I will have to start over again,” he says. Sammy is a perfect example of those who contribute to our valley in astounding ways, proving just how important it is to support our neighbors. “I am a big believer that we should continuously strive to grow and challenge ourselves to be the best version of ourselves. We are called to live in community, being there for each other,” Sammy says.
Megan
For a while Megan felt the community she so loved, where she worked and raised her children, the one she cared so much about didn’t care about her. She felt defeated and felt moving away was imminent.
Megan was born and raised in Europe but moved to the Valley in 2007. Just like Sammy, Megan experienced the struggle of staying in this place she called home. “This is the longest I’ve lived anywhere, and leaving was never an option, but trying to figure out how to stay really does a number on your sense of self-worth,” she says. It is devastating to think that people like Megan—our neighbors—are unable to plan their futures because a place to call home is left as a question. As Megan prepares to move into her new home at Timber Ridge, she reflects on what Habitat has allowed her to do, saying, “Having this housing opportunity allows me and my kids to dream together again…It gives me an opportunity to show them that community exists. It exists here and wherever you foster it.”
Carly
Carly is another one of our neighbors who has struggled to stay in the Valley. She is a mother and a valued community member who will be able to remain in the Vail Valley. “My daughter is my best friend, and she is my purpose. We were both born and raised in the Vail Valley, and we love to call this place our home,” she says. Home is more than just the house—it is the community, the people, and the feeling of being supported and known. To be forced to leave one’s home and restart is something no one should have to experience. This devastation hits even harder, though, when it is one of our own. Carly does not have to leave though and will now move into Timber Ridge where she will be able to support and provide for her daughter. She says, “Her success in this life is also my success, and I would do anything to ensure her happiness.”
Doug
Doug works for Vail Resorts and was a lift mechanic but is now a lift dispatcher. He is one of the individuals that keeps our beautiful mountain up and running. Doug never thought he would be able to own a home in Eagle County. Now, Doug will continue to help strengthen our community — and be one of the few lift operations crew who lives in Vail, steps from the mountain.
He says, “It means giving back to the community that has given to me over the years in the valley… I never thought I’d be here 15 years, and I certainly never thought I could be a homeowner here.”
Kereisha Johns & Michael
Kereisha and Michael are beyond grateful for their opportunity to own a home. They will be able to move in with their children and give them a permanent place to look forward to returning. They said, “By having this home, this means a lot to our family. We always wanted to own our own house. We are really thankful for this opportunity.” All parents dream of giving their children a better life, and now, thanks to Habitat, Kereisha and Michael will be able to give their children a future with a home.
Maria Guadalupe & Jaime
Maria and Jaime have been in this valley for longer than most—18 and 30 years, respectively. They have played instrumental roles in our community and have worked hard but never had the chance to chase their dream of owning a home. It is discouraging when it seems as though the only thing you are working toward is just out of reach. They said, “Unfortunately, housing costs are so high that we have not been able to realize that dream. Now that it is about to become a reality, we can only be eternally grateful.” It is now a real opportunity that Maria and Jaime will be able to live in the home they’ve always dreamed of and truly get to enjoy one another’s company in a home of their own.
Martha & Daniel
Martha and Daniel are an example of amazing and strong parents that are committed to giving their child the best possible life. Despite ups and downs, the couple has worked hard and remained devoted to one another and their dream, which will soon become real. They said, “It is a dream come trye, and we are very happy because we will not have a place of our own where we will watch our daughter grow up and be happy.” There are too many parents forced to uproot their families due to the high cost of housing, but through Habitat’s efforts, we can help one family at a time have a forever home to raise their kids in this beautiful valley.
Rebekah
Moving constantly is never easy and is even harder on a family and children. Rebekah has had to deal with this inconsistency, making life in the Vail Valley nearly impossible. However, with the new Timber Ridge homes, she will be able to give herself and her daughter the home she’s always dreamed of. She says, “We will have our own safe haven which will allow us both to live in peace and to focus on creating the best possible life for both of us.” Life is better when you have the chance to enjoy the place you call home without having to worry about having a roof over your head, and Rebekah will finally be able to experience this joy.
Stella
Raising a family in a place where homeownership is so expensive is no easy feat, and Stella has had her fair share of struggles. She has lived here for over 30 years and is now an empty-nester. She finally has the chance to own the home she has always dreamed of. It will be a place her kids can come back to and a place to call her own. She says, “My life has not been easy, but I feel that after owning a home, I will feel more secure and have a goal for my future. I look forward to growing up in my own place.” Stella proves it’s never too late to chase your dreams, and she believes what she thought was impossible is her reality.
Affordable housing—made possible through Habitat, the town of Vail and Triumph Development’s partnerships—allows Megan and other individuals to remain in the Valley, contributing to our thriving mountain community. “Building my Habitat home provides my family with the safety and security to continue to grow here, and to continue to give back to the community that I love so much,” she says.
Visit www.habitatvailvalley.org to learn more.
Sophie is Habitat Vail Valley’s communications intern. She is meeting homeowners and documenting their journey towards homeownership throughout the summer.
