Reflecting on 2025: Celebrate a Year of Impact and Give the Gift of Home with Habitat ChesCo

As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect on a year marked by milestones, community partnerships, and lives forever changed by the power of safe housing that is affordable. Habitat for Humanity of Chester County (Habitat ChesCo) remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring every family experiences the stability, security, and dignity that come with having a place to call home.

The holiday season is a time for giving, and no gift is more enduring than the gift of a home. Your support empowers Habitat ChesCo to build and preserve homes where children grow, families thrive, and communities flourish. Thanks to your generosity, hope becomes tangible, and the impact reaches far beyond four walls.

​2025: A Year of Growth and Homeownership

In 2025, Habitat ChesCo made significant progress in expanding homeownership and strengthening communities across Chester County. Through our homeownership and home repair programs, dozens of families advanced toward long-term stability and independence.

This year, 16 families partnered with Habitat ChesCo through our homeownership program. Of those, 9 are on track to complete their homes in 2026, each investing time, dedication, and perseverance to create a brighter future.

By year’s end, Habitat ChesCo will have completed approximately 40 critical home repairs, enhancing safety, accessibility, and quality of life for homeowners throughout our service area. These repairs, from structural improvements to accessibility modifications, help seniors, veterans, and families remain safely in their homes.

Additionally, 6 families reached the milestone of paying off their mortgages in 2025. Each accomplishment represents not just a statistic, but a family empowered and a community strengthened.

Homeowner Stories: Families Who Inspire

Behind every home lies a story of resilience, determination, and hope. At Habitat ChesCo, our work goes beyond constructing houses; it’s about creating places where memories are made, traditions are formed, and futures take shape.

A decade ago, Crystal’s family partnered with Habitat ChesCo to build a home that still anchors their family life to this day. Their home remains the heart of family gatherings, holidays, milestones, and cherished moments.

"Although my children are both grown now, they still have a home to return to and it feels so good when all hearts come home for the holidays. Thank you Habitat as this is our 10th holiday season in our home. I will be eternally grateful for the blessing of homeownership."

Crystal, Amaya, and AJ

Alicia Buchanan celebrated the dedication of her home on July 25, 2025, surrounded by loved ones and the Coatesville community. A devoted mother to A’Zierr and Jayden, Alicia was recently honored as one of the 40 Vista Next Generation Superstars—a well-deserved recognition for someone who inspires through her resilience and leadership.

“For us, owning a home is far more than just acquiring a property; it is about creating a sanctuary where my children can feel safe, secure, and cherished. It means providing them with a stable environment where they can grow, learn, and build lifelong memories. It is a place where they will have the freedom to be themselves, where laughter will echo through the walls, and where we can gather around the dinner table to share our days, our dreams, and our aspirations. This home represents stability, a sense of belonging, and the fulfillment of a dream I have carried in my heart for so long.”

Alicia Buchanan

Lisa’s story underscores the importance of stability in life’s most challenging moments. After frequent moves and the loss of her partner, Lisa and her granddaughter Kaylee faced profound uncertainty. Through Habitat ChesCo’s homeownership program, they found a safe, secure place to heal, rebuild, and create new traditions. Lisa celebrated her home settlement in March, followed by a heartfelt dedication ceremony on June 11, 2025.

“It is still difficult to really believe we have a safe, secure place to call ‘home.’ Habitat for Humanity, the volunteers, and the generous donors don’t just help to get houses built. They provide individuals with hope and stability, making the goal of owning a house achievable. This house then serves as a place where memories are made. My heart is filled with deep gratitude to the volunteers, construction team, and generous donors who may not realize how much of an impact they make in people’s lives.”

Lisa Forrester

Give the Gift of Home This Holiday Season

This holiday season, Habitat ChesCo invites you to give a gift that endures far beyond the holidays—the gift of home. Your generosity, whether through a one-time contribution, recurring monthly gift, or Donor-Advised Fund (DAF), directly supports the construction of safe homes and the completion of critical repairs for families across Chester County.

Every donation helps create stability, security, and opportunity for local families, ensuring they have a place to grow, gather, and build a brighter future. Together, we can continue to transform lives and strengthen neighborhoods, one home at a time.

Other Ways to Support Our Mission

Supporting Habitat ChesCo extends beyond financial contributions, offering multiple ways to make an impact during the holiday season and beyond.

• Cars for Homes: December is National Car Donation Month! Donating a vehicle, whether it's running or not, helps fund home construction and repairs, offering a convenient and potentially tax-deductible way to donate.

• Shop or Donate at Habitat ChesCo ReStores: Whether you’re shopping for unique gifts or donating gently used furniture, appliances, and home goods, every ReStore purchase and donation supports local families on their path to homeownership. 

• Volunteer to support our ReStores, builds, events, or community outreach efforts.

• Raise awareness about the need for stable housing in our community.

• Advocate for policies that create housing opportunities for all.

Every act of support, whether through giving, shopping, donating, or volunteering, helps build stronger families and healthier communities.

Looking Ahead: Building Toward 2026

With your continued support, 2026 promises even greater opportunity for families across Chester County. Habitat ChesCo is preparing to expand our impact through new construction, home repairs, and long-term community development.

In 2026, we plan to complete 7 homes, including one on Country Club Road, one on Lumber Street, and five in West Grove Phase 6. Construction will begin on 12 additional homes, including developments on 1st Avenue, a 773 Coates twin, as well as a single and triplex on Emmett Street in Phoenixville, and five in West Grove Phase 7.

We also anticipate serving 10 families through home repairs, improving safety, accessibility, and quality of life. Continued infrastructure work, such as property surveys, drawings, and permits for the Foundry Street and Phoenixville Tower, will lay the groundwork for future growth and expanded homeownership opportunities.

As we reflect on the impact of 2025 and look ahead to the promise of 2026, your support makes it all possible. This holiday season, give the gift of home and help create a future filled with stability, opportunity, and hope for families throughout Chester County.