Mississippi Mom and Kids Getting New Home with Your Help

A young girl in Pearl River County, Mississippi, has never had her own bedroom. That's about to change, but only if enough volunteers show up to help finish her family's new home.

Habitat for Humanity Bay Waveland is building a house for a single mother and her two children. Construction is underway, but a volunteer shortage has delayed the family's move-in date. The organization hopes to complete the home by April with community support.

"The daughter, I think, has never had her own bedroom, so we're really excited to be able to give her own room," said Brailey Penny, the organization's marketing and volunteer coordinator. The sooner volunteers arrive, the sooner this family can start their new life.

This isn't a handout. Habitat for Humanity Bay Waveland works with families for about a year during construction, teaching financial planning, mortgage basics, and insurance navigation. Partner families also contribute what the organization calls sweat equity, working alongside volunteers on their own homes.

"Our motto is not a hand out, it's a hand up," said executive director Brian Murphy. "We're giving them an opportunity that they might not have had to be homeowners, which is a dream for most people."

The current family has already logged significant hours on the project. Now they need help with indoor and outdoor painting and floor installation. No construction experience is required.

Sunny's Take

Imagine telling your daughter she's getting her own room for the first time. That moment is within reach for this Mississippi mom, and it only takes a few hours from neighbors who care. Habitat builds just one home per year across two counties, making each project a community milestone. When this family walks through their front door in April, they'll see more than fresh paint and new floors. They'll see proof that strangers became friends who believed in their dream.

Volunteer dates this month include January 13, 15, 16, 20, 23, 24, 27, 30, and 31. Anyone interested can contact Brailey Penny at Brailey@habitatbw.org or 228-467-9699.

A young girl is about to discover what having her own space feels like, and you can help make it happen.