New Wave community features two more Habitat homeowners
From staff reports
In June 2024, Habitat for Humanity dedicated the first two New Waves homes on land on M-72, west of Traverse City. In just two years the organization has built 13 homes and welcomed 11 new homeowner families. On June 3, Habitat dedicated the last two homes and welcomed two more families into the New Waves Community.
When Jaclyn volunteered with Habitat in Illinois, she didn’t know that some day her family would need Habitat’s hand-up. Her whole life has been about helping others. After years working in mental health fields, she was the one in need of a little support.
Shortly after moving to Traverse City, Jaclyn found herself a divorced mother of two girls. After three years of unsuccessful house hunting and moving from rental to rental, Jaclyn was working multiple jobs just to keep her family financially above water. When the landlord of her rental put the house on the market, she turned to Habitat for a permanent, stable place to live.
Julie and Aidan were high school sweethearts. They started their lives together at 18, and six months later, found out that Julie was pregnant. What should have been the happiest time in their lives was disrupted when Julie was diagnosed with a severe medical condition. After their son was born, they learned that it would be unsafe for Julie to have any more children.
Despite everything, they continued to move forward together and heal. In July 2025, when they were just 21 years old, and parents to a young child, Julie learned that a teenage student she worked with needed a safe, stable home. Without a second though, Julie and Aidan took in Payton and became her foster family. Early this year, they were granted full guardianship of Payton completing their family of four.
“Habitat for Humanity represents something we have been desperately needing: relief, stability, and a fresh start,” wrote Julie. “Right now, so much of our stress comes from the uncertainty of trying to keep up with costs of renting. Having a secure, stable home will lift a weight off our shoulders.”
On June 3 these two families cut the ribbons and took the keys to their new homes. In their new neighborhood, they joined 11 previous Habitat homeowner families who are secure in homes that they own. These two new families complete the New Waves project and solidify this new community.
