“Nothing Worth Having Is Ever Easy”: Celebrating Sharonda’s Journey to Homeownership in Wilson County
This past weekend in Wilson County, the community gathered to celebrate a powerful milestone, the dedication ceremony for future homeowner Sharonda. It was a day filled with gratitude, reflection, and joy as Sharonda shared her journey toward homeownership and what this moment means for her family.
“For the first time since my boys have been born, they will finally have their own rooms.”
Sharonda is a single mother of two teenage sons. For years, she carried a dream that felt just out of reach, providing her children with a stable place to call home. In 2025, she made the intentional decision to pursue homeownership, even though she did not yet know how it would happen.
“I didn’t know how it was going to happen, but I had faith that it would.”
Like many families, Sharonda began by exploring the traditional path to purchasing a home. She worked diligently to build an emergency savings fund and spoke with lenders. As rising home prices and interest rates made affordability increasingly difficult, a counselor suggested she consider applying for the Habitat for Humanity affordable homeownership program.
“At first, I didn’t think it would be the right option for me. But I decided to take a leap of faith.”
That leap led Sharonda to the Habitat program and, eventually, to the moment she received the call letting her know she had been approved for the 2025 build in Lebanon, TN.
“Words cannot describe how I felt. I was overwhelmed with joy. It truly felt like God heard and answered my prayers.”
Since then, Sharonda has fully embraced every part of the Habitat journey. Through homeowner education classes and other partnership hours, she has not only helped build her future home, but also built new skills, confidence, and knowledge that will serve her long after closing day.
“There is nothing like seeing your home built from the ground up and knowing you were there when the first wall went up.”
One of the most meaningful parts of the program for Sharonda was the budgeting and financial education component. While she had always used a budget, she shared that the classes helped her better understand her finances and shift her mindset toward being proactive and prepared for the future.
During her remarks, Sharonda expressed deep gratitude for the many people who walked alongside her, from staff and volunteers to construction supervisors and financial coaches. She emphasized how she was treated with dignity, encouragement, and respect throughout the entire process.
“This is an experience I will remember for the rest of my life.”
As Sharonda looks ahead, she is excited about what comes next. Hosting her first holiday gathering in her new home. Starting the garden she has always dreamed of. And most importantly, providing her sons with a sense of stability and space of their own.
Sharonda’s journey is a powerful reminder of what is possible when determination, faith, and community come together. We are honored to celebrate this milestone with her and to continue walking alongside other families and individuals on the journey to affordable homeownership through Habitat for Humanity.
