Joan Cameron and her granddaugher, Vanessa, share much more than hereditary ties.  This unique grandmother and granddaughter team share a zest for life, a supportive relationship, and now, a Habitat for Humanity home.

 

Like all grandmothers, Joan is extremely proud of her fifteen year-old granddaughter, but a very unique bond exists between these family members.  Joan has cared for Vanessa since she was young.  She sayd, "Vanessa and I are so happy in our Habitat home, and our relationship has strengthened significantly since we moved in.  There's no two ways about it - there's love in this house."

 

Much has changed for Joan and Vanessa since moving into their Habitat home.  Vanessa is now able to wake up each morning, get ready for the school day, and eat breakfast in a healthy, safe environment.  Even as a teenager, Vanessa is making big plans for her future.  She smiles widely, showing off a mouth full of braces, "I'm going to college.  I want to be an eighth grade teacher."

 

Life was very different for the Cameron familiy before they moved into their Habitat home just one year ago.  Joan and Vanessa lived in low-incoming housing for thirteen years.  Joan remembers the difficulties of their situation, "There were days that I didn't even know how I was going to be able to afford infant formula for her."

 

Depsite their dire circumstances, Joan had faith that if she worked hard enough God would privde for them.  When she learned about Habitat for Humanity's unique homeownership program, she was ecstatic for the opportunity to apply for her own home.  Joan says that she and Vanessa would hold hands and pray every night, "God, please let there be a Habitat house in our future!"

 

The Cameron's hopes and prayers were realized when they were selected for a Habitat home in 2002, but they knew the hard work was just about to begin.  Joan spent hundreds of hours of "sweat equity" on the construction of her home.  A year later she proudly says, "I can sit here on my couch and look around and remember all the hours that I put into building this house."

 

Joan and Vanessa were each other's only support system for so many years.  Through the construction of their Habitat home, they truly felt the spirit of a community that showed them hope and love through their actions.  Knowing how much faith, determination, and love went into building their home gives Joan and Vanessa a great sense of peace and joy.  Jona fondly remembers the volunteers who toiled alongside her, "I think that's why it's so loving here.  So many people came together to provide this opportunity for us."