From the very first build day, each Habitat home is filled with love as the community comes together to pour their support, laughter, and joy into their work. In February, Napoleon and Briana, with their two girls, Bella (6) and Na-Brea (4), accepted the keys to their future, surrounded by many friends and family members.

“We want a place to raise our kids, and we wanted them to have a foundation,” they shared. “A home base so they can go to one school. Home means everything. It means stability- a place we can call our own. A place we can feel safe and comfortable. A place for our kids to have constancy. We know that’s a huge thing for kids – stability – and we’ve discussed this. Now it’s happening.”

Muncie Habitat for Humanity partners with local families, like Napoleon and Briana’s, interested in purchasing a home with a no-profit, no-interest mortgage. Napoleon and Briana have been working towards their dream of homeownership with Habitat for months – completing education courses, fulfilling 500 hours of sweat equity, and financially preparing for homeownership.

“We’re just excited to have real bedrooms for the girls and have a safe home that is ours – including the property. We want something that is ours and has value to it and something we can afford,” they shared.

Each Habitat home is a collaboration of volunteers contributing hundreds of labor hours, visionary donors providing necessary funds, and our partner families. This home is also unique because it was the 2022 Interfaith Build home. Fourteen congregations worked beside Napoleon and Briana to raise not only the roof but also funds for this home!

In addition to the usual dedication was the bookcase with books, family activities, and games donated by Friends of Pat Botts. “Family time and education in the safety and comfort of our homes was important to one of Habitat’s strongest advocates and leaders, Pat Botts,” explained the letter presented to Napoleon and Briana’s family from The Muncie, Indiana Friends of Pat Botts. Botts served as a board member for Habitat Muncie for many years and is remembered as a strong ally in providing affordable housing opportunities for local families.

Since Muncie Habitat’s inception in 1986, more than 250 families have been provided with new and improved housing opportunities. Anyone wanting to become involved with Muncie Habitat is encouraged to contact info@munciehabitat.org! The organization is always looking for new volunteers, partner families, and ways to put generous funds into action for local families. ️

Generous funding for this project in part provided by the City of Muncie HOME funds.