Working toward a dream
Lara and her husband are high school sweethearts who have been side by side for every step of their journey. Together, they’ve built a life rooted in determination, teamwork, and a deep commitment to their kids.
Lara homeschools their young daughters while her husband works in IT installation and servicing. But behind the everyday routines, there’s been a constant worry about housing.
Like many families, they tried to save, plan, and dream about the future. But rising rents pushed that dream further away. On top of that, their children’s unique needs—special diets, medical appointments, and therapies—meant every dollar was already stretched thin.
“The rent increases meant we had to sacrifice things our kids needed,” Lara explained. “It constantly felt like we were playing catch-up.”
A hard decision, and the right opportunity
Lara and her husband first learned about Habitat when homes were being built in Silver Springs. They were interested but knew the timing wasn’t right.
“The homes had enough bedrooms, but my husband works from home and needed a quiet space to take calls,” Lara said. “It was such a hard decision to walk away, but we had to think about what was best for our family.”
That choice felt impossible at the time—but it turned out to be the right one.
This past spring, when their rent was set to rise again, even in a so-called “affordable” program, Lara began to worry they’d have to leave Calgary altogether. Moving would mean pulling their children away from friends, extended family, and the support systems they depended on.
That’s when Lara remembered Habitat. She looked again, and this time discovered a new project starting in Chestermere.
Everything about it felt right. The family applied, and soon after came the life-changing phone call.
“Getting that phone call [from Habitat] was one of the happiest days of my life,” Lara said. “Aside from my wedding day and the births of our kids, nothing compares.”
Looking ahead with hope
Now, for the first time, homeownership isn’t just a dream—it’s a future within reach. Their daughters are already sketching out plans for a “Lilo and Stitch” bedroom, something they couldn’t do in a rental where painting or decorating wasn’t allowed.
“To be able to give our children a safe, loving, and stable home that’s affordable and close to family means everything,” Lara shared.
The couple has also embraced Habitat’s volunteer model. Within their first month of volunteering, they had already completed more than 100 hours toward their 500-hour commitment. “The volunteer hours aren’t a barrier, they’re an opportunity,” Lara said.
“I love the opportunity to not only work on our own home, but give back to other Habitat homeowners and build their homes too. You’re not just in it for yourself, but you’re in it to give back as well.”
That spirit of gratitude is something Lara carries with her everywhere. At Habitat’s Women Build in Airdrie this fall, she brought her children to the site to watch volunteers in action. While it wasn’t her own home being built, Lara grew emotional as she thanked the women on site for their commitment.
“She wanted them to know the impact their involvement has on families like hers,” recalled a Habitat staff member. Lara even spoke with the media, determined to make sure more people understood how Habitat changes lives.
“It felt like our dream to own a home was getting further and further away with inflation. Habitat makes homeownership possible for families and we are so grateful for the opportunity.”
“Home is somewhere that is filled with love and caring, and that’s something we can give freely to our children…but you can’t always control the “safe”. This home will let us do that.”
