Meet Diana, a single mother in central Alberta who was juggling four jobs just to keep up with the rent. Despite her relentless work ethic, she found herself stuck in a cycle — with little time for her two school-aged children, and even less for her own dreams of pursuing higher education.

After her separation, Diana and her children moved into a cramped apartment. “Everything was in just one small box,” she recalls. “There was no space for the kids to play, no room to study. And with rent going up every six months, I found myself always having to pick up extra jobs.”

Still, Diana remained focused on improving her family’s future. She began upgrading her high school courses to meet university admission requirements, all while supporting her family and giving back to her community. She regularly volunteered with a local non-profit, translating documents and helping other families navigate applications for rental subsidies, passport renewals, and even Habitat for Humanity.

Then came a turning point. A friend encouraged her to apply to Habitat for Humanity Red Deer’s Affordable Homeownership Program. Diana qualified and was accepted — and she embraced the opportunity wholeheartedly.

She completed her 500 partnership hours in just a few months, volunteering at her local Habitat ReStore, supporting fundraising events, continuing her regular volunteer work, and even contributing at a community garden where her children could join in. Diana’s mother, sister and friends also pitched in, helping her reach the milestone together.

In 2024, Diana moved into her new Habitat home. She now pays an affordable, geared-to-income mortgage on a space that finally meets her family’s needs.

“Having a roof over my head, it changes everything,” she says. “I’m no longer working four jobs. I’m down to two — a full-time and a part-time job. That’s a big accomplishment for me!”

With the stability of homeownership, Diana is pursuing a bachelor of science degree, with hopes of eventually applying to medical school. And the impact extends beyond her: her children, now with their own space to study, play, and build friendships in their new neighbourhood, are thriving in school and dreaming bigger.

“We enjoy going for walks together as a family every day. My kids have privacy now … and room to play and study,” Diana shares. “And I have more time to study instead of working late nights or dealing with unpredictable hours.”

“Now everything feels possible. The sky's the limit.”