Meet the Homeowners Speaking at the Carter Work Project

Since Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1985, more than 1,900 families have bought safe, stable, affordable homes with Habitat throughout the metro. Once they're settled in their homes, many homeowners choose to give back to Habitat's mission. They might continue their learning by volunteering through Habitat's new Volunteer and Learn Program. Some join Habitat's advocacy efforts. And almost every Habitat homeowner tends to share Habitat's homeownership program with their friends, family, and beyond.

Each day during the 2024 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, we'll hear inspiring homeownership stories from some incredible Twin Cities Habitat homeowners. Let's meet them!

LeAndra Estis - Homeowner Since 2019

"[Homeownership] was the start of knowing that I'm worthy. That I can do more. I can bring more. I am more."

LeAndra’s grandmother owned a home in St. Paul where she raised LeAndra's mother and siblings. It was the family's home base as they grew up and moved out. When  LeAndra’s grandmother passed, the family also lost her home. Their anchor in the community was uprooted. But LeAndra became determined to follow her grandma's legacy and become a homeowner herself.

LeAndra's years of hard work paid off in 2019 when she became the 114th Twin Cities Habitat homebuyer that year—a new annual record until 2024. And that was just the beginning of LeAndra learning all she was capable of. Watch her story below.

Buffy Moore (LSW, LGSW) - Homeowner Since 2003

"Homeownership is a springboard that people can use to launch into other areas of their lives."

“I was born in St. Louis, Missouri. I moved here in 1995. At that point, I found myself – for lack of a better word – homeless.” Facing housing instability with five young children was daunting, but Buffy persevered. The family stayed in shelters as needed and then connected with a transitional housing program. She earned her associate's degree, found a good job, and eventually was accepted into Habitat’s homeownership program.

Homeownership was the firm foundation Buffy and her family needed, and they thrived. She went back to school after purchasing her home to earn a Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree, and she’s now a Licensed Graduate Social Worker. She works with Hennepin County, helping people currently experiencing homelessness. And Buffy gives back whenever she can, speaking at events for Habitat and other organizations. Watch Buffy's story below.

Carroll Alihonou - Homeowner Since 2023

“Habitat supporters are dream-makers, they are wish-makers, and a thousand million thank-yous is all I can say. They’re changing lives.”

Carroll's father moved her family to the United States from Togo when Carroll was seven. A year later, her father passed away—leaving the family devastated. Carroll started struggling with anxiety and depression as she grew up. When she had her daughter Alexandria while in college, Carroll's mental health was at an all-time low. But her daughter also inspired her to invest in her future by becoming a homeowner.

Carroll poured everything into her homeownership journey and found a Habitat home she loved in 2023. Since then, things are looking up. Carroll's in her second year of a Master's degree program and has a new job, Alexandria is thriving in school, and her boyfriend Bahati is helping turn their house into a home.

Read Carroll's story >>

Juanita Jensen - Homeowner Since 1995

"It's not just having a house...it's the stability of being able to thrive and grow and give back to your community."

Juanita and her husband, Jacques, were raising two young children and a Saint Bernard in a small apartment in the 1990s when they applied for Habitat homeownership. They bought a Habitat rehab home in North Minneapolis and worked hard to prepare the home and become homeowners. Since then they’ve raised five children in the home who have gone on to do things like attend college, start businesses, and find success. Juanita also went back to school after becoming a homeowner, receiving her Bachelor’s degree—now she works in medical research at the University of Minnesota.

Read how Juanita's family (consisting of four essential workers) weathered COVID-19 with their Habitat home >>

Teri Lark - Homeowner Since 2021

"Habitat showed they cared."

Although Teri worked in the mortgage industry for a big bank, she wasn’t able to afford a home of her own until she found Habitat’s homeownership program. After almost a year of homeownership preparation, she closed on a home she loves for her and her daughter. Here’s what Teri shared: “The open market gave me freedom to search without limits and find and obtain my own realtor. This program offers everything that any other company or bank I attempted to go through offers, but more importantly Habitat showed they cared.”

Read Teri's story in her own words >>

Monisha Washington - Homeowner Since 2022

"Habitat didn't just check a box. They changed."

Monisha and her husband, Roodly, bought their home on the open market through Twin Cities Habitat in 2022. Monisha’s four children love having a big yard and plenty of room inside.  And Monisha was overjoyed that they found a home with an accessory dwelling unit so that she could provide affordable housing to her family—her brother is currently living there.

Monisha also served on Habitat’s Black Homeownership Advisory Council, made up of Habitat homeowners and community members who identified as Foundational Black Households. The Advisory Council helped identify unique barriers facing Black homebuyers in Habitat’s program, which led to the creation of Habitat’s groundbreaking Advancing Black Homeownership Program. When Monisha learned about the new program her feedback helped create, she said, "Habitat didn't just check a box. They changed."

Read about Monish'a experience on the Black Homeownership Advisory Council and her homeownership journey >>

Thank you to our amazing homeowner speakers for sharing during the 2024 Carter Work Project! Their stories inspire us to continue our mission and build a more equitable Twin Cities.