A New Chapter for Sara Johnson: Rebuilding and Thriving with Habitat for Humanity

For Sara Johnson, life hasn’t always gone according to plan. As a single mother of two, she found herself navigating the complexities of raising her children while trying to rebuild her life after a difficult divorce. With her children depending on her, Sara needed a stable place to live, something they could call home. At the time, public housing provided a safe haven, but Sara knew she had bigger dreams. She didn’t just want a roof over her head; she wanted to create a future where her children could thrive.

But taking that leap from a stable, temporary home to owning her own house seemed like an impossible dream—until she learned about Habitat for Humanity of Sumner County. With a mix of excitement and apprehension, Sara decided to apply for Habitat’s Homeownership Program. It wasn’t just the idea of owning a home that attracted her; it was the opportunity to build something that would last—something that would give her children a future full of possibility.

When Sara was accepted into the program, she knew she had a long road ahead. It wasn't going to be easy, but she was ready. “I had to learn a lot," Sara admits with a smile. "Everything from budgeting to home maintenance to managing my time with work, raising my children, and volunteering. It was overwhelming, but I knew I had to do it for my kids."

Throughout the program, Sara faced her share of challenges. There were bumps in the road—unexpected expenses, long hours juggling work, and moments of doubt. But she wasn’t alone. Along the way, Habitat’s staff, volunteers, and other families in the program supported her every step of the way. Sara's children were often by her side, too, witnessing their mom work hard not just for them, but with them.

The home build itself became a deeply personal journey. Sara spent countless hours on the construction site, working alongside volunteers who shared her vision of a better future. "I remember putting in the sweat equity hours—literally building the walls that would soon become my own home. It was surreal," Sara recalls. Each nail hammered and every coat of paint brought her one step closer to that dream.

And then came the day she had been waiting for—the day she was handed the keys to her new home. Standing on the doorstep of her house, Sara felt a wave of emotions: pride, relief, and above all, hope. This home wasn’t just built from wood and nails—it was built from her resilience, determination, and the love she had for her children.

For Sara and her children, this house represented a fresh start. It was a place they could grow, a place where they could laugh, learn, and create memories that would last a lifetime. “This house is more than just walls and a roof,” Sara says. “It’s a future. It’s the chance for my kids to feel safe and secure, to know that we’ve built this life together.”

Today, Sara is thriving. She’s learned how to manage her finances, care for her home, and more importantly, she's learned how strong she truly is. Her children now have a yard to play in, their own rooms to grow into, and a mom who never gave up on them or her dreams.

With Habitat for Humanity of Sumner County by her side, Sara didn’t just rebuild her life after her divorce—she transformed it. The journey wasn’t easy, but as she reflects on her story, Sara knows that every struggle, every lesson, and every moment of hard work was worth it.

“Thanks to Habitat,” she says with a smile, “we have a place to call home. And that’s something no one can ever take away from us.”