Meet the Powers Family!

Dedicated, hard-working, and eager all describe the Powers family, and they are well on their way to becoming Habitat homeowners.  This household is made up of Alleania, her mother Dorathia and her brother Tanasse. Alleania first learned about Habitat for Humanity’s affordable homeownership program through early morning commercials while at work. When she heard that applications were being accepted during a Habitat open application event at the Kroc Center, she jumped at the opportunity to apply.  Since then, the Powers Family has amazed us with their ability to go above and beyond in reaching their sweat equity hours, even donating their extra hours to help other partner families reach their goals, despite Alleania having two jobs!
 
The Powers family comes from Chicago’s Morgan Park neighborhood. Alleania finds working in the adult mental health industry very rewarding, and her mother, Dorathia, has retired after a career as a machinist. Her brother, ten year old, Tanasse, who will also be living in the home, is very smart and obtains straight A’s in school. He enjoys video games, bowling, and shopping for rare finds at garage sales with his family.
 
The Powers family’s current home is unbearably crammed and makes privacy and quiet work space impossible. They are very excited to start the building process on their new house, which they will purchase from Habitat with a 0% interest mortgage. Their new home will give them the space they’ve been craving for years: the space to create a healthy environment for the whole family. With the affordable mortgage, they can turn their focus from worries of being able to sustain their home to more exciting ideas like finally being able to adopt a dog for Tanasse, working on their first yard, and reviving their family barbeques.
 
In addition to participating in the very exciting Habitat for Humanity process, two of Alleania’s aunts are also working towards obtaining habitat homes on the same block! Alleania has been able to meet other Habitat participants through Homeowner University courses, community involvement, and DIY projects. The Habitat for Humanity program has allowed the Powers family the opportunity to relish the hard work that they’ve put into working towards homeownership. Regarding her Habitat for Humanity experience, Alleania states, “I’m your campaign person because I tell everyone [about the program] that’s willing to listen.”