For the next two years, Britni lived her dream of being independent and working to achieve her goals. During that time, she gave birth to her son, Isaiah.

But on August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit, and like many people who lived along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Britni lost all the material things that she had worked for.

“It was tough,” Britni recalled. “But a great deal of good came out of Katrina. If it weren’t for Katrina, I may not be a homeowner. I think it is because of Katrina that I am buying a home instead of renting.”

Britni is ecstatic about owning her own home and she said that ownership means “everything” to her. “Being able to own something and to say that I’ve worked for it means everything to me,” the twenty-three-year-old single parent explained.

“When I first got out of the FEMA trailer, I was paying $850 a month for rent. That was like throwing money away.”

Britni began research into Habitat at the suggestion of her mother. She went to the Habitat website and became impressed with what she learned. She wasn’t looking for a handout, but a “hand up,” which is Habitat’s program.

“Those guys were really great,” Britni said of the Habitat employees and volunteers who worked with her on her house. “They went above and beyond to make sure that I was happy. It was like they were building their own homes. They take pride in what they do.”

Habitat made quite an impression on Britni, and she’s a proud homeowner who is ecstatic at the path her life is on. “Habitat opened a door that I didn’t expect to open for another ten years,” Britni explained. “This is the best thing to ever happened to me.”