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e want to make sure you have a safe and enjoyable experience when you volunteer with Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio. Please click here or keep scrolling to learn what you can expect before you begin.
Family and Current Housing
Melissa is a hardworking woman dedicated to creating a stable and loving home for herself and her son, Taejon. Over the years, they’ve moved frequently, struggling to find a place where they could truly settle. Currently, Melissa is renting a duplex that presents several challenges. In addition to facing significant rent increases over the past two years, the home has ongoing structural issues. The back door doesn’t latch properly, cold air seeps in through the bedroom window, and during heavy rains, water enters through the basement window, flooding the space. The kitchen faucet also leaks. At one point, Melissa was pre-approved for a conventional loan through her credit union, but despite her efforts, she was unable to find a home within her budget that met basic living standards. Melissa often reflects on watching her father build their family home and remembers the pride her parents felt. She never imagined she’d have the opportunity to experience that same joy—until a friend encouraged her to apply for the Habitat homeownership program. Now, not only will she become a homeowner, but like her father, she’ll help build her forever home with her own hands. Since joining the program, Melissa has shown great commitment. She’s been actively completing her sweat equity hours and successfully finished her homebuyer education classes in fall 2024. These classes have provided her with vital skills in budgeting, financial planning, and home maintenance—tools she’s excited to use in her journey as a future homeowner.
A Bright Future
Melissa currently works as a server and bartender at Twisted Olive, where she loves connecting with people and brightening their day through her service. Her son, Taejon, is homeschooled and enjoys being outdoors and playing Fortnite. His favorite subject is science, and he dreams of becoming a mailman one day. Melissa is excited for the opportunity to have a space that’s truly her own—somewhere she can invest in and call home. She’s especially looking forward to planting a garden and creating a space that reflects the love and care she puts into everything she does. Homeownership has been a longtime dream for Melissa, and now it’s finally within reach.
Location / Venue
- Add to Calendar
- Address:
- 1845 Blooming Hills Place Southeast
- Massillon, OH 44646
- USA
- Time:
-
Jul 03, 2025 8:30am
to
Oct 03, 2025 2:30pm ET

In Support of Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio
As a grassroots Christian housing ministry serving Stark, Carroll, Tuscarawas, Harrison, and Jefferson Counties, Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio is driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live. People partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering, or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability, and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. To learn more, visit habitateco.org.