Written by Karen Werstein
For Rachel, everything starts with family. She treats everyone close to her like family — and that’s exactly how she says Habitat for Humanity has treated her too.
Rachel spent most of her life in California, surrounded by loved ones. When her brother’s family moved to Eugene, Oregon in 2014, the choice was clear. Rachel and her mother, Pam, would soon follow.
“My mom took care of my niece as a baby,” Rachel shares. “She missed her so much and wanted to be near her, so we moved too.”
Taking Care of Others
Similar to her mother’s passion for taking care of children, Rachel discovered her calling was also caring for children. She became a Certified Nursing Assistant, working with babies who had feeding tubes and other medical issues. “The work filled me with so much joy it didn’t even feel like a job,” said Rachel. She also found her spiritual home with the Women of Distinction — a community that also cares for those in need that became like family to her.
Over time, Rachel’s passion led her to work with older children as a behavior manager for kids with autism. The role took her around Oregon which she enjoyed, but the travel made her realize she was tired of renting and dealing with a lot of circumstances out of her control.
“As a woman of color, I found myself in some unwelcoming and unsafe situations both at my apartment and out and about,” Rachel explains. “I realized I wanted my own home in a more diverse, welcoming community.”
The Search for Home
By 2020, Rachel knew what she wanted, but finding it seemed impossible.
“It felt like there was access to affordable housing, but the interest rates were too high,” she remembers. “Or the programs I looked at just weren’t a good fit for me. I couldn’t get the timing right.”
In her hunt for a more diverse community, Rachel stumbled upon a post that changed everything. In a Facebook group for Black Portlanders, someone shared that Habitat for Humanity had townhomes available.
“Something said go for it,” Rachel recalls. “I thought it would be so hard because other programs I tried hadn’t worked for me. But I was shocked by how much easier it was with Habitat.”
A Different Kind of Support
“Habitat is different from any other program I had previously explored,” shares Rachel. “The people at Habitat really care and the programs are designed to actually help families succeed.”
The application also moved much faster than Rachel expected. “I applied in October and found out I was accepted by December!”
The resources, the support, the genuine care — it all stood out. But just as Rachel was celebrating this opportunity, life threw her a curveball.
When Life Changes Course
Rachel’s mother, who lives with her, was diagnosed with cancer and wasn’t responding well to treatment. During the COVID pandemic, Rachel couldn’t risk her job as a behavior manager. Being out in the community was too dangerous for her mom’s fragile health.
So Rachel did what she always does: she stepped up with her whole heart. Rachel left her career in nursing to become her mother’s full-time caregiver. “Family always takes care of each other.” She supplemented her income with catering work, delivery driving, and by making natural skincare products. But now the down payment felt impossible.
“Habitat told me they would work to help me out, but I wasn’t sure what I would do,” Rachel admits. “I just kept packing and doing my service hours and believing it would work out.”
Her faith was rewarded. Habitat connected her to an IDA program, which is a matched savings program to help her with the down payment.
“They went out of their way to help. I was amazed! They really cared and were willing to do whatever it took.”
Welcome to King City Commons
To help accommodate her mother’s accessibility needs, Rachel will be able to purchase a home that has a bedroom and full bath on the first floor. Located just south of Tigard and 10 miles from Portland, King City Commons offers the perfect balance. It’s a peaceful retreat from city life with charming neighborhoods and friendly neighbors, plus easy access to urban amenities. The nearby Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge provides beautiful outdoor spaces for the whole community to enjoy.
Rachel and Pam are on track to move later in the fall. And while they aren’t in their house yet, the community aspect is already happening.
“Habitat provides so many wonderful opportunities to meet and build community. We’ve already met most of the neighbors through fun events like Bingo and movie nights.”
Both Rachel and Pam are thrilled about the diversity of people and cultures in their new community.
Dreams Taking Root
After years of renting, Rachel is most excited about one simple thing: decorating her own home.
“I love decorating!” she beams. “It feels like such a privilege to make a space truly ours.”
She’s also looking forward to creating a special room for her niece Jaydence — the same little girl who inspired their move to Oregon all those years ago. And she can finally set up her mom’s room with all the medical equipment and accommodations they need.
Both passionate gardeners, Rachel and Pam have already bought their first plant: lavender for the herb garden they’re planning. Rachel will grow herbs for her organic, homemade skincare products — part of her dream to start her own business.
Looking ahead, Rachel sees even bigger possibilities. “I love taking care of my mom and other seniors. I want to treat other people’s parents the way I want my mom taken care of. I want to offer this to others.”
