“I want my son to look back and see everything his mommy did to get to where we are and the things that we have. “

Kellie VanPatten, a single mother and Tax Technician at the Pinellas County Tax Collector’s office, is on a mission to create a brighter future for her 3-year-old son, Karter. Despite the challenges of raising her son alone, Kellie is determined to provide him with a safe, loving environment where he can thrive. “Our current living situation is crowded and hectic,” she explains. Living with five other people, including children, has made privacy and peace hard to come by. “There’s no safe space for my son to play outside, and we’ve seen gators in the lakes near the house. It’s not the environment I want for Karter.”

When Kellie found out she had been accepted into the Habitat for Humanity program, it was a moment of overwhelming joy. “I was full of tears. I couldn’t believe that this opportunity was actually being given to me,” she recalls. As a single mom facing various obstacles, Kellie felt a deep sense of relief. “The one thing I thought I’d never be able to give Karter was a home of our own. Now, we’ll finally have a place to call ‘home’.” This acceptance has given her hope for a stable future and the chance to build a life that she once thought was out of reach.

For Kellie, having her own home will mean a world of difference. “I look forward to creating memories with Karter, giving him a safe place to play, and having friends over. It’s the childhood I want for him,” she shares. She also envisions a financially stable future, applying the budgeting tools she’s learned through the program to ensure peace of mind. “More than anything, I’m excited for it to be mine—something I worked hard for and can enjoy with my son,” Kellie reflects.

Kellie’s journey with Habitat for Humanity is a testament to the power of perseverance and community support. “Applying for this program was a long and stressful process, but I’m so glad I took that step for my son and me,” she says. If Kellie’s story resonates with you or someone you know, take the first step toward homeownership with Habitat for Humanity by visiting our Apply Page. Whether you’re applying yourself or referring a friend, the program offers a path to stability and success. “It’s worth every second,” Kellie encourages. “This program gives people like me the chance to build a great future and a place to call home.”