Children of Habitat

by Ashley Doubleday

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 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 problems in children.

“Environment is crucial for all of us. This is especially true for children,” says Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West President, Terri Gage. “Out of all that we have accomplished, I am most proud of the security that we’ve been able to provide to all of the Habitat kids along the way. Many of them had strong drive and work ethic to begin with, but it is so wonderful to see them grow and thrive and to know that we played a part in their stories.”

Many Habitat children from the St. Tammany area have gone on to accomplish amazing academic, career, and personal goals. Hayley Theriot was 12 when her family moved into their new Habitat home. Now 27-years-old, she’s graduated from high school, earned a Bachelor of Science degree from LSU and is one year away from obtaining her PhD in biomedical sciences from The University of Arkansas.

“Hayley always had good grades, but having a home helped her feel more confident and comfortable in her surroundings,” said Theriot’s mother Shawn Schexnayder. “I think having a place to call home increased her confidence and helped her to know that those dreams could become reality. Home is a place that you can be yourself. Home is where you can build confidence to pursue your dreams. Home is who you surround yourself with and a place that anyone can feel welcome.”

Leah Brown, Brit Payne, Sandy Payne, Madison Payne and Ally Payne at a Habitat STW Wall Raising Event.

“By investing in the wellbeing and success of children, we are investing in our community’s future,” says Public Affairs Manager for Chevron’s Gulf of Mexico Business Unit and long-standing partner, Leah Brown.

Since 2013, Chevron has contributed over $280,000 and more than 1,500 volunteer hours to Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West. The company is also deeply invested in St. Tammany Parish with key focus areas being STEM education and community health and wellbeing.

“There is something extremely special about helping members of our community raise the first wall to their new home,” says Brown. “It’s remarkable how much of an impact Habitat has had on our community. The organization has improved thousands of lives, and we are extremely grateful and proud to be a part of it.”

Together, Chevron and Habitat are improving not only the lives of those they directly assist, but also the lives of people across the Northshore. In fact, increased community engagement and bringing people together are two of the organization’s key objectives. Regardless of income level, homeownership promotes civic and social involvement. People who are helped in such a big way often want to pay it forward by giving back to the community that supported them. Many Habitat homeowners and their children now volunteer in the Habitat ReStore or join local community groups.

“Since I’ve been in my home, I’ve gotten more involved with my church, where we do a lot of community outreach,” says Foster. “My home changed me. When I say the word ‘home,’ it makes my security in life strong as well, because I know my home is equipped, safe, clean, and something I’ll be calling my own.”

As Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West and its partners plan for the future and build on their previous successes, they look forward to many more years of helping families find security and a place to call home.

For more information on how you or your company can support Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West or to volunteer, please visit habitatstw.org.