Helen's family story

“When I found out I got accepted, I couldn’t control myself. I was the happiest person ever,” recalled Helen Getahun regarding her acceptance into the Homeownership Program. When a Habitat for Humanity Family Services associate called her to ask if she had any change in income prior to receiving news of her acceptance, Helen was concerned she might be declined from the program for the third and final time. Happily, however, she was informed of her family’s acceptance into the program. Several months later, this overwhelming sense of excitement still lingers as the Getahun family await the completion of their Habitat for Humanity home.

Helen, her two children, Lidia and Josep, and her cousin, Abeba, have been living in a two bedroom townhome for the past three years. As living costs have continued to increase, this cramped space has become unaffordable for her and her family, despite Helen’s position as a nursing assistant at a skilled nursing facility in St. Paul. To further complicate matters, the onsite management at the townhome has been poor and the Getahun family has recently taken in some unwanted guests: roaches.

Noisy and unfriendly neighbors have also made living in their current home a rather difficult situation for the Getahuns. Fearful of the shouting and taunting that come from her neighbors when she steps outside, Helen often asks Abeba to get the day’s mail. She also fears that the children who live next door are a bad influence on her own kids because of the nature of their parents, who engage in drinking and drug-related activities.

Lidia and Josep spend most of their time inside because of the unsafe nature of the neighborhood. Their new home will offer them the added benefit of safety. “Safety is the number one issue,” Helen said. “We’re looking forward to having a safe place to play and friendlier neighbors.”

The Getahun family is most looking forward to having a safe space in the yard for the children to play, friendlier neighbors, and the chance to plant a garden. Helen especially looks forward to taking her children on walks through the neighborhood to tire them out. “They will sleep better,” she said with a smile. The Getahun children are quite active, and will assuredly benefit from having more outdoor space in which to play. Lidia, 3, speaks Tigrina and Amharic and is quickly learning English at the Wilder Center. Her little brother, Josep, 18 months, has already picked up a few phrases of English from his older sister. Helen’s bright smile shines through when she speaks about her children and their playful nature.

Helen still has 40 hours of sweat equity to complete on her home which she is saving for the day she will be able to work on her own home, which has run into a few construction setbacks. Construction is slated to resume this fall, putting the Getahun family closer to realizing their goal of having safe and affordable place to call home.