Toranda McFarland has set a few important goals for her life. “I wanted to straighten out my credit, finish my college education, and own a home of my own.” It looks like she’s just about ready to accomplish all three. “ My mentor and friend Arica Moss (another Habitat homeowner) tells me I need to get some new goals, now that I am part of the Habitat home ownership program.”
With a Bachelor’s degree in health and human services, Toronda McFarland had worked her way through retail jobs, home health care jobs, and finally a full-time position with Courage Connection as the Children’s Program Manager. “Now that I have steady employment and good insurance, I can lift my head up from the day to day struggles of being a single mom and balancing three different part-time jobs to make ends meet. I’m so thankful for the chance to build a home with Habitat, and finally save enough money to get ahead.”
With her two older sons off at college, she will have her other four children, ranging in age from 4 to 14, living in their new home. “They are excited to have more room, and something of our own to take care of. I’m pretty handy, so I plan on doing some of my own maintenance and repairs, says Toronda. I plan to teach my kids a few of my home maintenance tricks around the house so they can be confident when they move out on their own someday.”
Opportunities like these with Habitat are important says Toronda “because not everyone can afford a bank loan, or even the downpayment for a home. Owning a home, I feel more responsible and definitely more positive about my family’s future. I look forward to meeting the volunteers and working alongside them to build what really is a dream come true.”