“I am looking forward to making this house a home in every sense of the word.”
Abby Kistler is a Child Welfare Case Manager at Youth & Family Advocates (YFA), where she has spent the past nine years advocating for children and families. She earned her Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences from the University of South Florida. Abby’s career reflects a deep commitment to uplifting others. Outside of work, she loves reading, volunteering in cat rescue, and caring for her plants.
Abby is raising her son, Carter, 17, who shares her active and adventurous spirit. Carter is a high school baseball player who also enjoys recreational pickleball with friends and loves competition and staying fit. Together, Abby and Carter spend time with family and friends, take road trips, try new foods, and explore ethnic markets and interesting restaurants.
For years, monthly rent has consumed a large portion of Abby’s income, leaving little room for savings, emergencies, or basic necessities. These circumstances have required difficult sacrifices, including sharing homes with family members in challenging environments. “There were times when I felt a lack of pride in our living spaces,” she shares. Through it all, Abby has remained focused on building a better future for herself and her son.
When Abby learned she was accepted into the Habitat program, she felt extremely grateful and hopeful for the future. For Abby, a Habitat home represents security, the opportunity to build generational wealth, and a true sense of being rooted. She looks forward to creating a space filled with love, comfort, and lasting memories. “We deserve a place to create lasting memories with family and friends,” she says. For Abby, home is where you find comfort, safety, and peace.
This home is sponsored by
