The Volunteering Page of Matt Beebe

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Family and Current Housing 

Catherine, a native of Stark County, currently lives in a two-bedroom rental in Canton. The rental is provided by a local organization that supports single mothers through intentional programming and temporary affordable housing. While the rent is affordable, the home’s small size means Catherine shares a bedroom with her two-year-old son. The family of three is beginning to outgrow the space. 

Catherine is deeply grateful for the past two years in this program—the maximum time allowed in the temporary housing for single mothers. As her stay came to an end, the program’s leadership recommended Habitat as a permanent housing solution for her family. The Habitat homeownership program was a natural fit for Catherine, offering a hands-on approach that combines education with experience working on the construction of her own home. Most importantly, the zero-interest Habitat mortgage provides a truly affordable path to homeownership. 

Since joining the program, Catherine has been an active participant, completing sweat equity hours through volunteer shifts at the Habitat ReStore and on home construction sites. She is also attending homebuyer education classes, learning about financial wellness, home maintenance, and other essential topics that are preparing her for successful homeownership. 

A Bright Future 

Catherine works as a Unit Support Worker at Stark County Job and Family Services, where she has been employed for nearly two years. She and her children share a close bond, enjoying cooking and dancing to music together. Their faith is also an important part of their lives, and they attend weekly worship services as a family. 

When asked what she is most looking forward to about owning her home, Catherine shared: “I am looking forward to being able to plant roots for my children and myself. My daughter has been with me through so much over the last several years, and giving her a home of our own will strengthen her confidence and sense of security. My son deserves to grow up with that same confidence and stability—I cannot wait to give that to him.”