ItƵs an old adage, but single mom Tara Tinney wasnƵt looking for a handout from , but simply a hand.
In 2024, Tinney and her sonƵs home in Goliad burned down, requiring them to move in with other family members. On top of that, Tinney suffered a stroke during the summer, adding to her woes and discouragement.
ThatƵs where Habitat for Humanity came in. Tinney contacted the local chapter and applied for assistance. Habitat for Humanity is an organization that works in more than 70 countries, building decent and affordable homes around the world.
ƵItƵs a huge relief because as somebody who moved here [from Kansas City] on an impulse back in 2009, I had less than perfect credit,Ƶ Tinney said Saturday in an interview with the Advocate during the Golden Crescent Habitat for Humanity Backyard BBQ Bash at Riverside Park. ƵItƵs wonderful because they donƵt give a handout so much as they give you a hand up. They show you what it takes to make that next step and what it takes to obtain the things you need to lay a foundation for the next five, 10 years of your life. They are right there with youƵnot doing it for you but with you.Ƶ
The stroke Tinney suffered in July 2024 actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise for her and her son, Maxton, 13. It gave her the opportunity to reassess her life and the steps she needed to take to get her and MaxtonƵs lives Ƶback on track.Ƶ
ƵI took a big breath and came to some realizations,Ƶ Tinney said. ƵWhile I was off getting my life together, between therapies and my time off from work, it allowed me to get my paperwork together for Habitat. I put my application in and was approved for . Through that, I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet a lot of magnificent people. WeƵre kinda starting from the ground up again in terms of our household. WeƵll be getting new things and rebuilding our lives.Ƶ
Tinney said it will be the first home Golden Crescent Habitat for Humanity has built in Goliad in more than 10 years.
Habitat for Humanity works in ƵpartnershipƵ with families in need of a decent place to live, according to its website.
The key word there is Ƶpartnership,Ƶ as Habitat for Humanity homebuyers Ƶhelp build their homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage.Ƶ Habitat approved TinneyƵs application and construction on the Tinney familyƵs home will begin soon.
ƵThe homes are not given to homeowners, there is a mortgageƵ Tinney said. ƵWe are required to work a minimum of 300 sweat equity hours, and these hours are spent working on our own homes, as well as other Habitat homes. This allows us to know the ins and outs of our home, so if something breaks, we are easily able to identify what is broken and can sometimes fix it on our own. The program really empowers homeowners and the sense of ownership that comes with that is incredible.Ƶ
The Advancement Director for Golden Crescent Habit for Humanity, Ingra Sparkman said TinneyƵs story is one that can break your heart. In her position, she has seen many families endure similar situations and has gotten to know and become friends with the individuals involved.
ƵTara has had a lot of points in her life that have been down times,Ƶ Sparkman said. ƵBut sheƵs always kept the faith, and this is our way to be able to show her and her son some love. This is for her. The thing about her story is that faith she has, the ability to say, ƵYou know what? IƵve got to keep trying. This is why we exist. Just to keep that spirit alive. ThatƵs why we do what we do.Ƶ
The opportunity to see families get a second chance in life through Golden Crescent Habitat for Humanity is what makes SparkmanƵs job gratifying.
ƵEverything is always about the happy ending, 100%,Ƶ Sparkman said. ƵSheƵs very grateful for this. SheƵs beautiful inside and out and this is what wakes us up in the morning and gets us moving.Ƶ
Tinney said she thoroughly enjoyed meeting people at the Backyard BBQ Bash Saturday because it gave her the opportunity to share her journey and extol the virtues of Habitat for Humanity and its efforts to help families with similar situations.
ƵItƵs very gratifying,Ƶ Tinney said. ƵIƵve been able to encourage several people and offer them a little guidance in what to look forward to, and the proper steps to take to get those things done.Ƶ
Sparkman came up with the idea for the Backyard BBQ Bash, but the execution of the event became far from an individual effort. The team at Golden Crescent Habitat for Humanity helped to make it a huge success, including a pair of interns from the University of Houston-Victoria, Tabree Houston and Michael Meza.
"When I was hired, it afforded me the opportunity to work with an intern. I said, 'Can I please have two?' Sparkman said. "They blessed me with two. They have been the backbone of helping me put this together."
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