OKLAHOMA CITY — Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity (COHFH) celebrated a week of dedication and new beginnings as three single mothers received the keys to their new homes in northwest Oklahoma City. At the same time, volunteers prepared to frame two additional houses in The Village, marking another step forward in the nonprofit’s mission to expand affordable housing.
The dedications took place in Cornerstone Creek, a Habitat neighborhood designed to provide families with safe, stable housing.
The first celebration honored Marla B., a customer care representative and single mother of three children—Dallas, Journee, and Eian, all between the ages of 11 and 14.
“I have faced numerous hardships, but one experience that truly shaped me was my children,” she wrote in her application. “I was determined to create a better life for us. I have worked tirelessly to provide, and this experience instilled in me a profound sense of resilience and an unwavering belief in the power of hard work.”
For Marla, the new home represents the chance to build financial stability and save for the future after years of raising her family in a crowded rental.
On Thursday morning, Habitat celebrated Shvyansty “Shy” A., a housekeeper at the Oklahoma House of Representatives and mother of three. Shy shared how she grew up watching Habitat commercials and dreaming of the day she could own a Habitat home.
“Seeing Ann [Felton Gilliland] on TV since I was a little kid, I knew about Habitat homes,” she wrote. “I’ve worked so hard to call one mine. It is my dream in life — my goal!”
Since moving back to Oklahoma in 2017, she and her teenage daughter, Ke’zira, had moved seven times searching for affordable housing. Now, their Habitat home offers them much-needed stability and the ability to plan for the future.
Later that day, COHFH also dedicated a home for Hollie C., a divorced single mother who faced sudden rent hikes after the death of her longtime landlord. Initially turned down by Habitat, Hollie worked to improve her situation, earning a degree in cybersecurity and securing a promotion at LexisNexis.
“God’s timing is always right,” Hollie said. “Not being at the mercy of future rent hikes has relieved my fears and given me hope for the future. My daughter and I are deeply grateful to all the volunteers and donors who have made homeownership possible for us in a beautiful new home, situated in a fantastic and safe neighborhood.”
Her daughter, Kayla, now has the security to finish high school in one place, while Hollie looks forward to “paying the blessings forward” by volunteering with Habitat herself.
As these families settle in, Habitat is also turning to new construction. Volunteers will gather at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday to frame two homes in The Village, part of a three-home project on land donated by Our Lord’s Lutheran Church three years ago.
COHFH Chair and CEO Ann Felton Gilliland called the effort a “blessed event,” highlighting the combined support of faith and community partners.
“We are thrilled to be able to begin building two of the three homes we plan to construct on the lots of land donated in The Village about three years ago by Our Lord’s Lutheran Church,” she said. “Additionally, we’ve been doubly blessed by the church and its volunteers, as well as the help and support of Johnson & Associates LLC. They’re all coming out to help frame these homes on Friday and Saturday.”
The Village worked closely with Habitat to extend sewer lines and upgrade infrastructure for the new homes. Johnson & Associates, Habitat’s longtime civil engineering partner, not only donated design services but also contributed over $43,000 toward building a detention pond for the site.
“COHFH is grateful to our volunteers and supporters from Our Lord’s Lutheran Church, Johnson & Associates and The Village,” Felton Gilliland added. “Thanks to them, three new families will soon be able to call this small, affordable housing community home.”
The milestone reflects Habitat’s dual mission of helping families achieve homeownership while creating lasting, supportive communities. For these three single mothers, the homes provide more than just shelter—they are the foundation for financial independence, stability, and the opportunity to give back.
As Habitat volunteers prepare to raise the walls on new homes in The Village, the organization’s momentum continues, fueled by partnerships between residents, faith groups, and local businesses who believe in building stronger communities one house—and one family—at a time.
Originally reported by Journal Record Staff in Journal Record.
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