2026 Partner Families
Home #70 - Sparks Family
For Melissa Sparks, home has always meant more than just a roof overhead: it’s a place of safety, warmth, and belonging. But for Melissa, her three children, and her nephew, that sense of security has been hard to find. Their current mobile home, once a refuge, now feels like a source of constant worry.
Overloaded electrical circuits and inadequate heating have turned everyday life into a challenge, leaving Melissa anxious about her family’s well-being. Despite working hard as a local delivery driver, she couldn't get ahead enough to alleviate the constant stress of their living situation.
“When we were named a partner family, we were overwhelmed but excited to know soon we wouldn't have to stress about the number of issues we've been dealing with,” Melissa shared.
For years, she has carried the weight of uncertainty, wondering if the next cold snap or electrical failure would put her loved ones at risk. Her dream has always been simple: a safe, stable home where her family can thrive.
“My biggest dream of home ownership is being able to establish a stable foundation for my family and personalizing our own living space,” she said. A home where her children and nephew can laugh without fear, study without distraction, and grow without the shadow of unsafe conditions looming over them.
The Sparks family is ready for this new chapter. And thanks to all the Habitat supporters, they will finally have what every family deserves - a space to call a home of their own.
Home #69 - Karsenay Family
Maribeth Karsenay has been dreaming of giving her son Luca a home where he feels loved and can grow and play without limits. As a young single mother, she works hard, balancing her work responsibilities in the finance industry while making sure her son always feels safe – because that hasn’t always been the case.
Since Maribeth and Luca escaped their house - that was too unsafe to even consider it as a home - they have been in transition. Due to the severity of their domestic situation their safety must remain the top priority, so she is sharing her story using a different name and Habitat is utilizing AI-generated imagery, rather than a personal photo, to maintain strict confidentiality. These protective measures enable Maribeth's incredible story of resilience to be shared while ensuring she
and Luca remain secure from the shadows of their past.
Complicating matters further, Maribeth has a medical condition that made navigating the stairs in their most recent rental treacherous. Between fleeing her former situation and managing her health, she felt like she was climbing an impossible mountain. And the struggle of living paycheck to paycheck made the dream of homeownership feel out of reach.
Then her mother recommended Habitat.
“Maribeth,” her mom said, “the worst thing that could happen is you get denied, but the best thing could happen, and you can change both of your lives forever.”
When Maribeth was chosen as a Habitat partner, relief, joy, and gratitude washed over her. No more fear of the stairs, no more wondering if they’d ever have a safe place to truly call their own. The future looks bright and full of possibility.
“Home isn’t just a place. It’s where love grows, memories are made, and futures are built,” says Maribeth. “It’s more than a house - it’s the promise of a better life, one we will cherish forever.”
Home #68 - Justice Family
Kylie Justice has always been resilient, but nothing could have prepared her for the battle she faced five years ago when Covid Neuropathy attacked her nervous system, leaving her paralyzed from the neck down.
A devoted mother of two energetic boys, Connor who is now 11 and Cooper who is now 7, she suddenly found herself unable to move, let alone care for them as she always had.
For six long months in the hospital, she fought through grueling therapy, relearning how to use her arms, hands, and legs. Returning home in a wheelchair, she relied on her parents for support as she worked tirelessly to regain her independence.
Through sheer determination and three years of healing, Kylie
finally stood on her own again - both physically and in life. Employed as an office coordinator at a physical therapy firm, she realized she was ready to give her boys something more - a home of their own. While living with her parents gave them a home filled with love and support, it was time to build a future where they could grow, dream, and create their own memories.
Encouraged by her mother and stepfather, who have served as Habitat volunteers, Kylie applied, hopeful but unsure of what the future would hold. “Habitat helped us stay motivated to complete all the requirements,” describes Kylie.
“Becoming a Habitat partner family is not just about owning a home, it is about gaining a support system, a community that stands by you every step of the way,” says Kylie. “It is about resilience, hope, and the unwavering belief that no matter how hard life’s challenges may be, there is always a way forward.”
When the day finally comes for Kylie to literally, and figuratively, step into her new home, it won’t be just about walls and a roof - it will be a fresh start, and a celebration of her physical journey of wellness and overcoming obstacles. The home will be a place where laughter will echo through the halls, where birthdays and holidays will be celebrated, and where a mother can watch her sons thrive.
It is the foundation for a future filled with love, security, and endless possibilities.