A Habitat homeowner since 1987, Mary M. has managed to stay grounded through active involvement on the HFHSL Board. As a Board Member, she is able to share the voice of the homeowner, which assists in stabilizing the group. This also gives Mary a strong sense of responsibility, assuring she deeply understands the concerns and desires of her co-participants.

Mary also continues to stay involved with Habitat through the family support committee, volunteering as a family partner. She partnered with a neighboring family, a single mother of three girls, to lend guidance and support through their process.

Mary has a vested interest in this particular family for two reasons: they live across the street from her and are active in the school system in which she works. Mary developed a bond with one of the children while in school, and once they were accepted into the program she adopted the remaining family to nurture and guide.

Mary has expressed her heartfelt pleasure in the growth and development of the neighborhood. She states it is nice to see more families returning and a close sense of neighbors, one being responsible for another. Although there is still room for improvement, there is definitely a cycle of transformation taking place. She continues to move her community one step closer to "The Ville" and ideology for which it was formed.