Arica Moss moved with her three daughters to Rantoul in 2007. She wanted to save money, work on fixing her credit score, have a quiet neighborhood for her girls and ultimately own her own home. She knew she just had to be patient and pray. Arica has always been a protective mother. She supervises her girls playing in the neighborhood and keeps them active at Stone Creek Church. Despite her efforts to keep her family safe, there was a shooting in their neighborhood and a bullet went through the window in one of the girl’s room. Arica knew God had a hand in her life that day because the girls weren’t in their room at the time. It was the shooting that pushed Arica to apply for a Habitat home. She needed a more stable environment for her daughters, and when she heard that Habitat homes are purchased at 0% interest, she said “I need that in my life.” Arica has her Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and will earn her Bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Science in 2012. She works for Head Start in Champaign, and with the Center for Women in Transition, as a Family Advocate. “I enjoy helping people and in helping kids learn.” She is busy with her girls – all three play softball, one is involved with cheerleading and band and another loves to play the recorder. On top of all of that, Arica has started a ministry for single mothers called Fresh Start Resources. Once a month, she takes a box of items – from shampoo to food to books – to single mothers who could use the help. She shares what she has learned during her years as a single mother and encourages them to be a positive influence for their children.
Arica’s family home and will be the 60th Habitat for Humanity Home in Champaign County.