Having a Room
By Mary Kay Huss
During this Advent season, I’m reminded again that there was no room at the inn for baby Jesus. This year, as I reflect on that, I’m also reminded of the wonderful conversations I’ve had with children of new Habitat homeowners who are experiencing having a room of their own for the first time.
What does it mean to have a room? To our children of Habitat homeowners, often it means this is the first time they have had a room to themselves. Many Habitat families come from overcrowded situations. For two sisters that I talked to recently the plans involved purple walls, red walls and princess castles. For a young man in Henrico County, his delight was being able to play video games in his own room without bothering anyone. What they didn’t mention of course was also having a quiet place to study and do homework. Higher academic achievement was one of the important impacts verified in our recent homeowner impact survey.
I’m also reminded about making room for those children who need an opportunity to thrive in a safe, secure and peaceful environment. The children are not normally who I think of first in the important work of providing equitable access to homeownership. I usually think of the parent(s), but that room is the beginning of the generational impact that our affordable homeownership work provides.
Thinking about the children first helps me remember the long lasting impact of Habitat’s work–starting with a bedroom.
