In honor of June being National Homeownership Month, we are sharing stories from Atlanta Habitat homeowners. Here’s Kim’s story:

I was so proud of myself when I bought my Atlanta Habitat home in 2007. I was in my mid 20s, with three young children in elementary school. That was right at the start of the Great Recession, but my kids didn’t go without and most important, we had a stable home of our own.

Now, all three of my kids are in college, I was so proud that they each decided to pursue higher education. I never finished high school, but I always told them that getting their education was the key to a better life. Once they were out of the house, I felt free to pursue my own dream, one that I had for a very long time. In April 2019, I opened Blendz–a New Orleans-styled coffee shop that also serves healthy smoothies, snow cones and dessert treats in the Sylvan Hills neighborhood.

From the beginning, people in the neighborhood were so supportive, sometimes we had lines going out the door. I still volunteer on Atlanta Habitat builds and we were so proud to be able to provide coffee for Clark Howard’s builds in Sylvan Hills. We were planning our one-year anniversary–it was going to be a block party with all kinds of entertainment, vendors and kids’ activities–when we realized that none of it could happen. We had to shut down because of coronavirus. I had poured everything I had into my little business, and it was gone. Just like that.

But I still had my house. When all three of my kids came home from college to shelter-in-place, this home was here for them to do it safely. We’re all hugely grateful for that, it means everything, that I can keep my kids safe here in the home they grew up in.

I will say it’s challenging, having three grownish kids back at home. I love them, I’m happy they’re here, but boy, do they eat a lot! Just keeping up with food for them has been a financial strain. But I have faith that we will be fine.

Now, I’m looking at how to reopen Blendz safely. I miss my customers. I miss the smell of treats baking, coffee brewing and the mix of healthy fruits blending in a smoothie. It’s stressful, trying to figure it out because there is no room for error. My kids will be my employees, and the community that has been so supportive still drive by asking when they can get coffee and a treat. There’s a lot at stake, including my ability to keep my home.

I know I’m not the only one going through hard times. We’re all in this together, right? I can say that the staff at Atlanta Habitat has always been there to help in every way.  At the end of the day, I’m grateful, because I know we’ll get through this.