When a future homeowner enters our homebuyer program, they must take a series of courses to get them ready to be homeowners. For the most part, these courses are the first or only homeownership classes many program participants take.   

SJMone entered our program with the same goals as everyone else, to buy her first home. She had already tried alternative homebuying options so instead of starting with no information, she knew some of the basic homebuying facts.  

As she made her way through our homebuyer courses, she began to ask deeper questions. 

“I have a budget, but I’m just budgeting this amount of money. What can I do to improve that? What can I do to further my investments outside of home ownership? And that’s how it began,” SJMone said. 

As SJMone asked more questions and discovered more gaps in the curriculum, Atlanta Habitat staff worked with her to bridge them. Due to SJMone’s inquiries, we now offer financial literacy courses that help homeowners not only save for their homes but begin to build wealth.   

“They wanted feedback, and I gave that feedback,” SJMone recalled. “After I went through my build process, I went through the classes and my daughter went through some of the classes. Her and I used to talk about the process and talk about the classes and what we would improve or what we think would be better.” 

SJMone including her daughter, invited Habitat staff to explore options for children who are looking to learn about finances as well.  

“She got in on a conversation and she was really excited about it,” SJMone exclaimed. “Habitat was just open to that, and they were welcoming our feedback. They continue to allow me to be a part of the community.” 

At the THRIVE Awards, SJMone was awarded the Habi-Hero Award for her service work for the community and also for being a champion to further financial education for Atlanta Habitat families.