1. Home
  2. Thompson Family Build
  3. Justice Freese
Thompson Family Build logo
family and current housing
Future Habitat homeowner, Katie Thompson, is ready to provide her children with stable, safe, and permanent housing after years of moving from place to place. Katie’s ex-husband was in the military so the family moved frequently between various rentals and military housing. An Akron native, Katie decided to relocate to this part of the country after she and her ex split over a year ago. Trying to avoid high rent as the sole breadwinner for her family, Katie and the kids moved into a SMHA (Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority) row house in Canton. Although thankful for a place to live, Katie looks forward to purchasing a home of her own and moving to a new neighborhood. Currently, she worries about neighborhood crime, drug use by her neighbors in the surrounding units, and lack of outdoor space for her kids to play. The home also has water damage on the ceilings in some rooms, peeling flooring, broken outlets, and a back door that poses a safety concern because of how difficult it is to open. In addition, Katie would benefit from moving to a one story home because she has bursitis inflammation flare-ups in her knee which causes mobility issues and current difficulty getting to the second story bedrooms. The Thompson family is a close-knit group who enjoys family game or movie nights. Matthew, the oldest child, loves video games and is described by his mother as having a caring and incredible heart. Nine-year-old Olivia has a sweet disposition and is a big help to her mother. The baby of the family is feisty four year-old Sophia. Katie calls Sophia her miracle baby because she was born premature and overcame medical setbacks early in life. Soon the Thompson clan will have a place to call their own for years to come.

a bright future
Although she has not been in the program long, Katie has already invested many hours of sweat equity as she completes the House2Home education series and works at ReStore or on Habitat construction sites. Her bubbly, outgoing personality makes her a joy to work with in the classroom and on worksites. Katie is especially looking forward to completing rehab work on the home she soon is going to call her own! In addition to completing Habitat program requirements and raising her three children, Katie works hard to provide financially for her family as a certified medical assistant. When asked what she is most excited about when it comes to buying a Habitat home, Katie responded, “I have worked so hard to get here, and I just want a better life for my kids!” Together, Habitat and our community partners will help Katie achieve that goal

6

hours pledged

14

volunteers
CLOSED

Location / Venue

Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio logo
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.