“Always remember that your present situation is not your final destination.”
For Lateeria Wheeler, becoming a Habitat homeowner represents freedom, stability, and a dream fulfilled. An Advanced Medical Support Assistant at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Lateeria is dedicated to serving others with compassion and professionalism. At home, her greatest joy is caring for her 16-year-old great-nephew, Cabretti, whom she lovingly calls her son. Cabretti is full of energy and ambition. He enjoys Taekwondo and running track. Lateeria beams with pride when she talks about him: “He’s focused and driven, and I want to give him the space and stability he deserves.”
For years, Lateeria and Cabretti have lived in an apartment plagued by mold, condensation issues, and stale air, all conditions that have worsened Cabretti’s allergies. When Lateeria learned she was accepted into the Habitat program, she was overwhelmed with joy. “I had tried so hard to get into the program, and it finally happened.”
Her advice to others is powerful and practical: “Don’t spend—save!Discipline and responsibility equal your new home.” For Lateeria, homeownership means peace, pride, and possibility. “I imagine myself sitting on my porch, thinking, ‘You did it, girl. This is your home, your peace, your property.’” She looks forward to having her own yard and giving Cabretti space for his exercise equipment. More than anything, she wants her home to be “a warm, welcoming space for my son and me—a place where we build fond memories for a lifetime.”
Lateeria sums up her journey with gratitude and determination: “Always remember that your present situation is not your final destination. The best is yet to come. The struggle you’re in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow. Don’t give up.”
The Wheeler Family home is sponsored by
