The Comfort of a Mother’s Home: Linda’s Story

Linda is giving her kids what she experienced firsthand: The comfort and safety of a mother’s home. When Linda left a relationship and moved back to Minnesota in 2024, bringing her young son and pregnant with her daughter, she had one destination in mind. Her mom, Norma, bought a Habitat home in 2019. Arriving at her mom’s house in West St. Paul, Linda felt relief.

“Earlier, I had called my mom to tell her things weren’t working out, and I needed to leave. She said, ‘You can come home,’” Linda remembers. “It was a hard time, but it was the best decision for my family. It felt good to have a place to stay and recoup, to not be stressed about finding an apartment."

During that time, Linda started saving for her own home. After helping her mom through the Habitat process and observing the support and resources it offered, Linda wondered if it might be an option for her, too. She took a leap of faith and applied for Habitat’s program in 2024.

“I was paired with a coach who would check in, make sure I was on track, and give realistic advice for my situation. I saved, paid down some debt, and got everything in order,” Linda says. “When I finished that and got my property letter, that’s when I actually began to picture myself and my kids in a house of our own.”

By summer 2025, Linda was touring Habitat homes. She had her eye on a house in Cottage Grove and was thrilled to learn she was the next homebuyer in line. “It was the right house in the right place at the right time,” she reflects.

Linda closed in October 2025, right before the holiday season. She remembers the first night she and the kids stayed in their new home: “I walked around when the kids were sleeping, just thanking God and taking it all in. Then I celebrated by buying a couch. Now, I love sitting here in the living room and looking out into the yard.”

A few days after moving, Linda took the kids trick-or-treating in their new neighborhood. Later, she hosted her extended family for Christmas. In the months since, they have created even more new traditions. Saturday mornings are for pancakes, and Friday nights are for movies and homemade pizza.

"My kids kept me going. Seeing them have their own room, being able to play in the yard—that brings me joy. Now we have a place to make memories together.” 

Her journey with Habitat hasn’t stopped, either. She appreciates check-ins from the post-purchase team and attends Volunteer and Learn events. “It feels good to have another support system in addition to my family,” Linda describes. “Nothing I could say can express how thankful I am that this is possible.”

Homeownership has changed everything for Linda and her kids, giving her faith and hope for their futures.

“I feel safe and secure for myself and for my kids. They will grow up knowing they have a home to come back to at any time—the same thing my mom gave me,” Linda says. “I’m proud that I didn’t give up and that my kids can see what’s possible. I’m happier, more confident now. My house reminds me of how far I’ve come, and it reminds me that better things are coming.”