Just a few short weeks before she receives the keys to her new Habitat home on March 8th, Natasha Speller sits down to talk to us about her family and shares her story with the Dorchester Habitat for Humanity community.
Natasha’s experience with Habitat began when a friend, who was a current Habitat homeowner, told her about the program and how to get involved.
The friend, Ms. Denise, told Natasha to simply attend a meeting at the Dorchester Habitat for Humanity center off Greyback Road in Summerville, SC. Right away Natasha decided to call Habitat to ask how she could not only get involved but also ask how she one day could own a Habitat home of her own. After attending meetings Natasha began to volunteer her time. She did not have a job when she started volunteering, but things shortly changed three months later.
Natasha got a job at iQor in North Charleston and qualified to be a homeowner through the Habitat program. She says that is where her journey to getting a home of her own home started.
Natasha has been in the program for two years volunteering on seven other builds to give others homes, while also volunteering in the Dorchester Habitat office.
Natasha said, “Sometimes things got difficult but in the end, everything was well worth it.” She told Habitat the program has helped to better her life in more ways than one, giving her hope for a brighter future.
Being a mother of four, Natasha has wanted nothing more than to own her own home and to give her children a good life in a safe home environment to grow in. Previously Natasha and her four children were living in an apartment but when an intruder broke into their home. Natasha says, “I needed to find a safer place to raise my children.”
Currently, Natasha and her children—Ja’Vonte (14), Toneyae (10), Natiava (7), and Tristeyn (3) are living with her parents. Their situation although tight is only temporary says Natasha, they make the best of their living situation and are happy to be together with family. Keeping a positive attitude she knows that soon she will have a home to call her own, keeping in mind that all of her hard work, patience, and sacrifices will have paid off.
Natasha and her children are overwhelmed with excitement. Moving into their new home, only five minutes from her parent’s home should be an easy transition she says. They already have furniture for their new home waiting in storage. Natasha is so happy about the entire experience she and her family have had and plans to continue involvement with the Dorchester Habitat for Humanity, volunteering her time when and as much as she can. Natasha thanks the Dorchester Habitat for Humanity for everything that the program has done for her.
“I want to thank Habitat for giving me this opportunity. When I went in to volunteer for Habitat they made me feel like family right off the back. It is a wonderful program and everyone treats you well making everything well worth it.” Not only did she gain a home from Habitat, but she also gained a family.
