Jasmine's Story
Jasmine’s heart is where her home is. She and her teenage son still gather weekly with her brothers, mom, aunties, and cousins for family game nights to play Uno, celebrate birthdays, and reminisce about the “good old days,” a favorite being when they’d all run through the cool, refreshing spray of fire hydrants on hot summer days. Jasmine grew up in the East Lake area of Chattanooga with her brothers and extended family. As a teen, she worked at the nearby Boys and Girls Club, as well as babysat in the community. As an adult, she still lives in the area and can’t wait to be in her Habitat “forever home.”
While Jasmine loves the people in her community, she doesn’t love living in a house that’s too small, has foundation issues, and where cooking with the air fryer also fries the circuit breaker. But the disadvantages of renting aside, the roots of Jasmine’s inspiration to become a homeowner run deep. Jasmine’s aunt has been a Habitat homeowner since the early 2000s, which is how Jasmine was first introduced to the Habitat program.
Jasmine speaks with pride about her mother, who purchased their family home and paid it off nine years ahead of time. She credits her mother with teaching her to save. She’d say, “You never know what can happen.” Jasmine is working to instill these same values in her 16-year-old son. “I can’t always pay for everything, so he learns there isn’t always money for all you want.”
The most challenging part of homeownership, says Jasmine, is “If something breaks, I have to take care of it myself.” But Jasmine has a great foundation for success. Growing up she saw her mom step up and get things fixed when they broke. And through Habitat’s homeowner classes, Jasmine now knows basics about plumbing, construction, lawncare, and has a toolbox of skills from which to draw that will help her succeed as a homeowner. Jasmine is grateful to Habitat for teaching her so much that is relevant to owning a home.
Along with homeowner classes, one of Jasmine’s favorite parts of the Habitat program is getting to know other families, making new friends, and reconnecting with old friends she discovered are also in the Habitat program.
“It’s been a long process but worth it, and I’m sticking to it. I’ve definitely grown, taking in all this knowledge. I’m a better person.” Why is it worth it? She’ll be living with nobody else’s rules or fear they’ll put an eviction notice on the door, and no increases in rent. And, most of all, Jasmine says, “I can’t wait for the day when I can sit on my porch, not have a care in the world. I’ll plant some flowers in my yard and do as I please in MY house!”