The Reida Burkett family

Reida Burkett and her three kids lived in a cramped mobile home in Iowa City with no room for their belongings. Because the small space did not allow enough room for all their possessions, Reida’s parents kept her things at their home. Finally, on April 2, 2009 construction on a new Habitat home began for for her, her three beautiful kids, and their belongings.

Throughout her life, Reida grew up in the same house, filled with memories. More than anything, Reida wanted the same for her kids, 12-year-old Trevin, 7-year-old Joseph, and 3-year-old MaKiya Lynn. Through her partnership with Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity, Reida was given a chance to provide her children with stability, a home to fill with memories, and a back yard.

“It’s very important that my kids can go outside and be kids,” Reida said. “I want my kids to experience looking back and having memories in their home. I want them to have a backyard, explore snakes, bugs and what not.”

Reida, a Housekeeping Manager at the Coralville Heartland Inn, is thankful for Habitat because without it she wouldn’t have been able to afford a home of her own. Although she tried to apply for conventional mortgage loans in the past, she had been denied based on her income.

In early June of 2009, Reida became the new homeowner of two-story home located at in North Liberty. Through Habitat, she is now able to give her kids their dream home while living on a fixed income. Although Reida had seen rough times in the past, everything she went through made her work even harder in life.

“What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger,” Reida said. “I’m working for my kids and working for something better in life.”