House #140
Tasia Gooden grew up on the South Side of Chicago but has called Champaign-Urbana home since 2010. Since leaving the city, she has found a new appreciation for the community’s slower pace and welcoming nature. For nearly a decade, Tasia worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at OSF Medical Center in Urbana. However, as one of her daughter’s needs evolved, she transitioned into a new role as a Program Coordinator Assistant with the Division of Specialized Care for Children, where she has been for three years. This shift allowed her to balance her love for helping others with her responsibilities as a mother.
Tasia is a proud mother of twin daughters, who are 8 years old. One of her daughters has a warm, playful spirit and expresses love through her infectious smile and affectionate hugs. She is also autistic and non-verbal, communicating in her own unique way. Her twin sister is extremely outgoing, thoughtful, full of personality, and always ready to brighten someone’s day with a hug or conversation. Despite their differences, the two share an unbreakable bond as sisters and best friends.
For Tasia, this journey is more than just building a house, it’s about creating a future. She wants her children to witness the values of faith, perseverance, and community throughout this process. When describing the impact this experience will have on her family, Tasia says, “My life will change during this experience by allowing me the opportunity to establish homeownership and financial literacy that will help me maintain stability, a sense of community and belonging, and financial growth that can be passed on to my children.”
Through this venture, Tasia has been deeply moved by the kindness and generosity of those who support Habitat. “Nothing about the process has surprised me, but everything about the program restores my faith in humanity. It fills my heart to see people’s willingness to help and uplift others and encourages me to do the same,” she says.
To the partners, volunteers, and organizations involved in building her home, Tasia expresses heartfelt gratitude: “GOD BLESS YOU! Thank you to everyone involved, you are the example and the change you want to see!”