Then & Now: Kallista Marie's Story

Homeowner: June 2011

Prior to moving into her Habitat Huron Valley home in 2011, Kallista Marie recalled her childhood in southern Ypsilanti, Mich., which ignited her desire to provide the same for her sons.

“I have good memories growing up in this neighborhood and at my old elementary school,” Kallista Marie said. “I just wanted the best for my sons. I asked myself, ‘What can I do to get them the influence they need? How can I make them happy?’”

So, she gave it her all to make sure her sons had the childhood she wanted them to have.

“Moving into my Habitat home has been a dream come true for me,” she exclaimed with joy. “I wanted my sons to have roots and a home; to not have a life in an apartment. I wanted them to have their own yard, own porch to sit on, and see other families in the neighborhood.”

Kallista Marie wanted her sons to grow up in a neighborhood free of chaos, a diverse area where her sons can feel safe as black children. She captured a priceless moment at her Habitat home when she snapped a picture of her two sons raking leaves during one fall.

“I captured a picture of them laughing. I have absolutely no idea what they were talking about, but it was true joy seeing two brothers laughing together in THEIR yard.”

The Power of a Home

Owning her home has given Kallista Marie a great sense of peace, and she’s still grateful for the house that Habitat provided.

“Not having to worry about paying rent or resigning leases, I’m able to be creative and spend as much time with my family as I can,” she said.

Since moving into her home, Kallista Marie has been able to spend quality time with her sons without having to work multiple jobs. She’s experienced many memories with her sons, ranging from spontaneous trips to Detroit, watching movies and even going on a 7-day cruise.

Since going through Habitat’s Home Ownership Program, Kallista Marie has learned many skills that are invaluable to her.

“I have learned skills ranging from how to do drywall, maintaining a budget, and the importance of setting money aside. Through the construction sweat equity, different volunteers I’ve met and the classes I took, I was able to create a community of take and share knowledge that prepared me to be a successful Habitat Homeowner,” she said.

Kallista Marie is thankful that she learned financial and budgeting skills, because it can be a difficult thing to master. She looks forward to watching her sons grow into young men.

“Although my sons are growing up, I want to provide them with a safe space in this home that they can return to when things don’t go right. The transition from youth to adulthood can be stressful, so I want to make sure they have a roof over their head and a meal to eat when they need it,” she said.

Kallista Marie began a program called “Our Community Reads,” where she reads picture books to children at a local park. Her program has since partnered with the Black Lives Matter movement to share stories written by black authors to empower the black community. “Our Community Reads” can also be found on Facebook and YouTube, and also features stories read by local community leaders, such as Sheriff Jerry Clayton, Judge Erane Washington and Mayor Lois Richardson.

“I love feeling like I have found my passion. I enjoy being able to give education and literacy to children in my community,” she said. “It’s purpose is to inspire a love of beautiful stories while planting seeds of possibilities in our future world changers.”

Kallista Marie is grateful for the countless opportunities that Habitat Huron Valley gives to those who don’t feel like they have a chance. The program has given Kallista Marie the opportunity to travel, build things around the house, such as a space to honor her mother, be a homeowner, and most importantly, give her sons the best life possible.

“It changes you in ways you can’t describe. The support (Habitat) gives homeowners is paid forward, and I’m grateful for the opportunities that Habitat has given me,” she said.

Kallista Marie’s home was sponsored in 2011 by Toyota Motor North America Research & Development and Johnson Controls (now Adient).