Habitat home brings hope to Woodbury family

Nestled among sprawling fields and greenspace, flower gardens and trails, Bailey’s Arbor housing development in Woodbury is the picture of tranquility. Mop in hand, Jackie Faser is cleaning out the last evidence of construction dust in her garage. A stack of boxes sit on the front stoop, awaiting their final destination. Jackie takes a break, leans on her mop and breathes deeply. “It still hasn’t sunk in yet that we live here. I feel like I can finally relax.”

Before purchasing her Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity home, Jackie lived in an inner-city neighborhood, just four doors down from where she grew up.

“The neighborhood has changed dramatically. It’s really deteriorated. We woke up to sirens almost every night,” said Jackie. A single mother of two boys - Xavier, age 11, and Payton, age 7 – Jackie worried constantly about their safety.

A member of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Jackie started noticing mailings about their partnership with Habitat for Humanity. She decided to call Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity on the off chance that she might qualify. After going through the lengthy application process, Jackie was selected for a home in Woodbury, just minutes away from her mother’s house and her job at a flooring retail store.

“It was a miracle,” said Pat Sandgren, Jackie’s mother. “I cried when we had the opening prayer that first day on the construction site. When I think about the many people who do not get a Habitat for Humanity home…” Pat’s voice trails off, she struggles against tears. “I am just so very thankful that my daughter was selected - and for a home here in Woodbury. It’s just so fantastic.”

Jackie started working on her home in April 2006, and invested hundreds of hours of sweat equity doing everything from framing to hanging drywall, nailing siding, roofing work, installing cabinets and painting. She also completed eleven homebuyer education classes that included budgeting, mortgages, home maintenance and being a good neighbor.

"You work your tail off," said Jackie. "You're not watching someone else do the work."

Working alongside other homebuyers was a highlight for her. “We really bonded throughout the construction process. We all worked together on whatever house needed attention at the time.”

Of course, Grandma pitched in too. “I was out on site eight times,” Pat said.

The mother-daughter team was amazed by the number of volunteers they encountered throughout the build, but one group in particular made an impression. “We love the 3M Cares crew,” they chimed in simultaneously.

Pat is excited about living so close to her grandchildren. “Six minutes and I am here,” she said. “And I can rest easier at night knowing that my grandsons are safe.”

Standing in front of the place she now calls home, Jackie is thinking about things any parent would in a new community. “I want to find my boys a good school, a good recreation program for sports.”

Already, Jackie feels the tight knot within her loosening as her boys hop on their bikes to explore their new neighborhood. Her thoughts drift to the future. She wants to continue her education, and focus on putting her boys through college as well.

Jackie’s eyes gaze down the street at the other rows of neatly kept townhomes. The only sound is the muffled engine of a bulldozer in the distance. She smiles. “I love it out here."

Contributed by Sharon Rolenc

Photo by Patrick Dunn