Photos: Brenda Flowers

For Keyawna and Natalie, dreams of stability, hope, and a brighter future for their families have always been at the center of their lives. Though their journeys began on different paths, while facing various challenges with unwavering strength, both saw their prayers answered when they became proud Habitat for Humanity homeowners.

Keyawna had always envisioned a life of achievement: becoming a doctor, starting a family, and traveling the world. While some dreams blossomed, life also delivered unimaginable trials. Her greatest blessing came in the form of her twin daughters, but just after their first birthday, the girls were diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type II—a rare, life-altering condition. When the twins faced severe pneumonia a few years later, their home was transformed into a makeshift hospital, filled with beds, suction machines, nebulizers, and more. The need for a safer, more accessible home grew urgent.

Meanwhile, Natalie, a devoted single mother of three, had her own dreams for her family. With a daughter now on the verge of high school graduation and two young sons in elementary school, Natalie has worked tirelessly to create a loving, stable environment. Deeply committed to her church and community outreach, Natalie never imagined homeownership could be within reach, especially when it was so rare in her family’s history.

On Friday, April 25th, Habitat for Humanity Riverside, alongside local dignitaries and guests, celebrated a milestone that would forever change the lives of both these remarkable mothers. At a special home dedication ceremony, Keyawna and Natalie were honored with proclamations from Congressman Pete Aguilar, State Senator Eloise Gomez Reyes, Assemblymember James Ramos, San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr, and San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran. Both women were also gifted a $1,000 check from Dr. Bill Orr, President of the San Bernardino Rotary Club—another gesture of support as they began this new chapter.

For Keyawna, the new home means much more than just walls and a roof—it’s a sanctuary designed to meet the unique needs of her daughters. “It feels surreal,” she said through tears of gratitude. “We’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. Habitat has made this an answered prayer for me and my family. I’ve prayed for this every day, and to finally have this prayer answered has been amazing.”

Natalie shared a similar joy, knowing this achievement would ripple through generations. “In my family history, becoming a homeowner has not been common. But with God and the help of Habitat for Humanity, that changes with me. Now my children will be emboldened to break the mold and believe they can achieve even greater things.”

Together, these two mothers prove that no matter the obstacles, faith, perseverance, and community support can transform dreams into reality. Thanks to Habitat for Humanity’s commitment to servant leadership, Keyawna, Natalie, and their children now step into a future filled with security, promise, and endless possibilities.

To learn more about how to support families like Keyawna’s and Natalie’s, visit www.HabitatRiverside.org.

Habitat for Humanity’s mission is, “Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope”. And Habitat for Humanity’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

Habitat for Humanity Riverside, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, has been transforming lives and communities in Riverside County since 1988. Committed to eliminating substandard housing, the organization works to construct, rehabilitate, and preserve affordable homes while advocating for equitable housing policies. Habitat for Humanity Riverside empowers families by providing training, resources, and opportunities to achieve safe, decent, and affordable housing.