Striving for Stability

Keisha Woods is a determined mother who wants stability for her three small children. She works full time as a medical assistant with Cardiovascular Associates and has partnered with Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West to help build a better life for herself and her family.

In her application to become a Habitat homeowner, Keisha said, “I think everyone deserves a chance to have stability in their lives and owning a Habitat home this will give my family stability.”

Prior to 2005, Keisha’s family lived in a small apartment in Mandeville. Following Hurricane Katrina, when the landlord decided to sell the building for profit, Keisha and her children were forced to find a new place to live. “When I got the letter that morning telling me we had to leave in 60 days, I was so upset. I didn’t want my children to see me cry, though,” Keisha said.

“But just as soon as that door closed, Habitat opened another one. I got a phone call that same afternoon saying that I had been accepted in the Habitat program.” Knowing it would be only temporary, Keisha and her children moved in with her mother in her two-bedroom apartment in Folsom.
“It’s pretty cramped.” Keisha shares a bedroom with her children, usually with one or two of them in the same bed with her. “I can’t wait for us to have our own home where my children to have space to grow and to play.”

“This will be a chance for my family to have a home, a real home,” Keisha said. “I won’t have to hear my son say, ‘If Mr. Phil puts us out at least we can live in our car.’ I can respond to him that this is our home and no one can put us out.”

Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West is proud to lend a “hand up” to homebuyers like Keisha. Her drive, determination and willingness to provide her family with a safe, affordable home will serve her and her family well, as they embark on this new journey in life.