If anyone knows about strength in times of hardship, it’s Mildred August. In five short years, she has lost three family members, including her mother and son, and was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013. While some may have been too discouraged to keep going, Mildred knew that she had no other option but to fight even harder. Mildred had wanted to purchase a home for years, but due to some financial setbacks, did not think homeownership was within her grasp. However, after a friend told her about the Lafayette Habitat for Humanity housing program, Mildred set her sights on finally owning her own home.

Following her acceptance into the program, Mildred dove in head first and completed several home ownership and financial training courses, including Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. As if her commitment to managing money wasn’t enough, Mildred completed all 300 of her sweat equity hours while undergoing radiation treatments!

Today, Mildred’s house is just over 50 percent complete, and she and her two grandchildren- Kasderall (14) and Ke-juan (10)- cannot wait to move in. Having lived in a variety of housing types, Mildred is thrilled to have “something solid that’s our own”, and is looking forward to having a backyard where the children can play and the family can gather around good meals and good times. Looking back, Mildred notes that some days, she’s still unsure how she made it through tougher times. But today, she can stand tall, saying “I’m just proud of myself. I did it!”. A dedication for the August home was held in September 2015.