Children of Habitat HAVING A PLACE TO CALL HOME has a powerful effect on children and lays the foundation for their future success. Studies show that kids who grow up in stable households earn higher standardized test scores, have better high school graduation rates, are more likely to attend college, and have better outcomes as adults. Over the past 40 years, Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West has given the gift of “home” to more than 550 children. With the help of long-standing partners like Chevron, the organization has made a huge impact on our Northshore community by building and selling almost 290 homes. “Moving into our home I would say lifted my children’s security level,” says Habitat homeowner and mother-of-three Latonya Foster. “Coming out
of a 2-bedroom trailer to a 4-bedroom 2-bath home by Ashley Doubleday brightened their life and made them push harder on what they wanted to do after high school. Their dreams never changed but their smiles got brighter, and they were never ashamed to show off where they live.” The stresses of constant moving or financial worries can play a role in children’s mental health. Uncertainty can translate into emotional or behavioral problems and poor performance in school. In addition, low quality housing and issues like pests, poor ventilation, lack of heat and other factors have been strongly linked to physical health The Foster family problems in children. at their 2013 “Environment is crucial for all of us. This is Home Dedication especially true for children,” says Habitat for >> Ceremony. March-April 2022 45
