Lori Empson spent her childhood growing up in Peoria, and moving more times than she cares to remember. As a young adult she moved to Bloomington, and finally Champaign where she says she has “finally found a community” where she could get a better job and the community support she needed for raising her 5 children (ages 6 to 22). Her youngest Russell, needs special support in school—and their new Habitat home will be have some structural modifications for his needs. “I am so excited to be moving into a home I will pay for and eventually own. The fact that Habitat can help give Russell the kind of special space he’ll need to grow and develop is so amazing.”
Lori shared her path to Habitat. “I tried to apply with Habitat when I lived in Bloomington, but my credit was poor, my job not stable enough and I really wasn’t managing the little bit that we did have very well. When we moved to Champaign, I struggled trying to work at various odd jobs, pay childcare, and maintain a home with active children. I started taking online classes and have nearly completed my Associates degree. When I finally got a better job at the University of Illinois as a cook in the food services department, I figured it was time to look at my options with Habitat again. I had health benefits for my family, and a stable income, and this time it was my turn to become a homeowner!”
Lori continues, “This opportunity with Habitat helps me take responsibility for my family and for setting goals to pay it forward in any way I can. I want my kids to see that their mother did not give up– and that hard work does pay off.”