“I believe I’ve spoken this home into existence.”

This past weekend, our staff and volunteers partnered with Habitat for Humanity Chicago to help build three new homes for families in Austin. One future homeowner, Courtney, a longtime Austin resident and parent of a former By The Hand student, is now preparing to move into her first home.

After years of rising housing costs, Courtney found support through our organization, including financial literacy workshops and guidance through the homeownership application process, before partnering with Habitat for Humanity Chicago to help build her home. Now, she is helping put the final touches on the very home she once only dreamed of.

This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting not just our students, but their families as well, as we work together to create stability, opportunity and a stronger future.

From an article posted in the Chicago Sun-Times on May 3, 2026.