Meet Alyssia.
Building Hope: The Fearing Family’s Journey Home
When Alyssia Fearing first applied for a Habitat for Humanity home, she was a single mom with two young boys and little hope of finding a safe, stable place to live. Today, 3.5 years later, her home is full of love, laughter, and the joyful chaos of three growing kids — “Our house is filled with energy and love,” Alyssia says. “It feels cozy, safe, and ours — something I don’t take for granted for a single moment.”
Before partnering with Habitat, Alyssia’s family faced unimaginable challenges. After a few tough years that included time in jail and the lasting effects of substance use disorder, finding housing seemed impossible. “I applied to more than 25 places and was denied every single time,” she recalls. “We ended up living in my children’s grandmother’s upstairs space — two small bedrooms, a half bath, and shared living areas. The ceiling leaked, the heat barely worked, and the stairs were dangerous. My kids even developed PTSD symptoms from the instability.” What Alyssia wanted most was a safe, permanent place where her children could simply be kids.
When she learned she’d been accepted into the Habitat program, Alyssia says she broke down in tears. “It felt like the start of a new chapter I had fought so hard to reach.” From watching the foundation being poured to helping raise the walls, Alyssia poured her heart into the process. “Sweat equity was hard,” she admits. “I was working full time, raising two kids, and still finding time to complete my hours. But it was worth it — my boys got to see their mom working hard, helping build the house that would become our home.”
Since moving in, the Fearings’ lives have transformed. The family now enjoys simple, happy moments that once felt out of reach — movie nights on the couch, birthday parties in the backyard, and quiet mornings when Alyssia sips her coffee in peace. “The sense of safety alone has changed everything,” she says. “We have more family dinners, more laughter, and more calm. My children have grown emotionally and academically now that they have a stable foundation. Life feels possible again.”
Alyssia’s home stands as a symbol of perseverance and second chances. “Habitat doesn’t just build homes; it builds stability, hope, and new beginnings,” she says. “Owning this home gave me independence, pride, and the ability to show my kids what’s possible. The most rewarding part has been seeing the joy on their faces and knowing I gave them a future that looks nothing like the past.”
To the volunteers, donors, and community members who make Habitat’s mission possible, Alyssia has one simple message: “Thank you. You may never fully realize the difference you’ve made, but you’ve changed our lives forever.”
