Maressa, a hardworking single mom, is building a home so she can plant roots and raise her three boys in a safe house. Her sons - Blake (6), Luke (4), and Julian (1) - want to play in their yard, but can't right now because their neighborhood isn't safe.

A coworker, who is a Habitat homeowner, encouraged Maressa to apply for the Habitat program, which requires each future homeowner to volunteer in the community, provide at least 300 hours of sweat equity to build their home, attend financial and homeownership classes, and pay a 0%-interest mortgage.

"The most important thing to me is to have a home where my kids feel peaceful, loved and safe," Maressa said. "This home is a Godsend. It's what we've been praying for."