For years, Jennifer Rady dreamed of giving her children a place that felt like home. Growing up, her grandma’s house was the place to be. It was home.

But like many working families, Jennifer faced obstacles that made homeownership feel out of reach. Student loans from returning to college in her 30s affected her debt-to-income ratio, creating challenges when she began exploring financing options. Even after finding the right home, she worried about the financial demands that come with buying and maintaining a house.

That’s when she learned about United Way of the Wabash Valley’s Home Down Payment Assistance Program through her loan officer.

After moving to Terre Haute, Jennifer spent nearly a decade renting an apartment while raising her children as a single mother. As her kids got older and rent costs continued to rise, she began to think differently about the future.

“I was spending as much in rent as I would on a mortgage payment. I’d rather invest in a house instead,” she said.

United Way’s assistance helped bridge a critical gap, allowing Jennifer to preserve money she would need after closing.

“By doing that, I was able to hold on to more of the cash that I had saved,” she said. “When I bought the house, the previous owner took all the appliances, so I had to buy all new appliances. Then there’s paint and all the little things you don’t think about. It really helped.”

Jennifer officially became a homeowner last December. Located in a quiet Terre Haute neighborhood just blocks from her daughter’s school and a short drive from Indiana State University where her son is now a student, the three-bedroom house offered exactly what she was looking for – stability, space and a future.

Since moving in, Jennifer has embraced the freedom that comes with homeownership. After years of white apartment walls, every room in the house now reflects the personalities and memories of the family who lives there. Her dining room features a beloved “Nightmare Before Christmas” theme. The living room showcases keepsakes from family vacations. An art wall displays treasured pieces created by her children throughout the years.

“Every room is different. After years of not being able to do any of that, now I can make it my own,” she said.

The home is already becoming the gathering place Jennifer hoped it would be. Her oldest daughter is expecting Jennifer’s first grandchild, and Jennifer is looking forward to creating family traditions in her new space.

“I’m really looking forward to Christmas. We moved in so close to the holidays that I didn’t put up a tree. This year, I’ll get to decorate for Christmas and Halloween and have family here,” she said.

Programs like UWWV’s Home Down Payment Assistance Program make those moments possible for working families across the region. By helping families overcome barriers to homeownership, United Way is creating stronger neighborhoods, supporting long-term financial stability and helping residents build wealth that can be passed on to future generations.

“I think it’s a great program,” Jennifer said.

Today, her house is more than a place to live. It’s home.