Al’kela Ervin is a lifelong resident of Champaign-Urbana. One of her favorite aspects of C-U is our community spirit. “I’m happy that we can all come together to make special memories and reach goals and milestones.” A graduate of Centennial High School, Al’kela currently works at the Housing Authority of Champaign County. She has been with the organization for nearly two years, dedicating her efforts to improving housing conditions and opportunities within our community.
In her spare time, Al’kela enjoys reading, fishing, and spending time with her two boys. Her sons are her pride and joy, and she is deeply committed to providing them with a stable and nurturing environment.
Al’kela’s journey to Habitat for Humanity has been a thoughtful and determined one. “I have looked into getting into this program for many years,” she explains. “I wasn’t really focused at the time. I just feel like everything happens for a reason. I grew closer to God and started a new job, and I felt like it was time for me to focus and grow.”
The prospect of owning her own home represents a significant milestone in Al’kela’s life. “Growing up, I would tell myself that I needed to be stable by the age 35. I will be 31 soon, and I’m accomplishing a big goal,” she says. Al’kela hopes that through this experience, her children will learn valuable life lessons about perseverance and goal-setting. “I want my children to see that if they set their minds on goals, they can be accomplished and to never give up!” she exclaims.
One of Al’kela’s favorite parts of her Habitat experience so far has been volunteering during the Christmas season. “It was fun to wrap gifts and interact with the customers,” she recalls, cherishing the sense of community and joy that comes with giving back.
To the partners, volunteers, and organizations involved in building her home, Al’kela extends her heartfelt thanks: “I would like to thank EVERY single person that was part of my home build. Thank you, Habitat, for creating such an amazing program for those who really want to be homeowners.”