LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Each year, Lexington Habitat for Humanity helps provide families with a safe place to live and a fresh start.
But, Habitat Homeowners also have to put in a lot of work to get the keys to their new place.
It took Habitat Homeowner Latoya Williams nearly two years of hard work to see her dream work.
"Just to set a goal, hang with it and never give up," said Williams.
In April, Wililams got the keys to her new home, but it took 250 sweat equity hours and 18 weeks of classes to get there.
"Every Monday night and I work a morning shift so that was kind of challenging, but I did it," said Williams.
A big part of the habitat process is completing a year and a half of home buyer education classes. Leaders said it's important to not just provide a home, but also the skills needed to be successful once inside.
"Learn about different things like what a mortgage is, what a living will is, we have firefighters come in and talk about what they do and how to make an escape plan during a fire, we have 911 operators, city councilmen," said Family Services Coordinator Thomas Hatton.
Homeowners also learn basic maintenance like changing doorknobs or light bulbs and how plumbing and HVAC units work.
People from all over the world are joined by this experience.
"It's a very community sort of feel among those that come to the class. There's a really neat part of the end during the graduation where everybody shares how much the classes has meant to them and how much getting to know other people meant to them and it's special to hear," said Hatton.
"The classes you take here are things you'll take with you for a long time," said Williams.
Williams said she is now ready to take on her next goal, with a new set of lifelong friends and skills by her side.
