We are delighted to honor Tarie Mallard and her son, Cornelius as they set off on their path to becoming homeowners. Tarie, a dedicated mother and security officer, displayed remarkable resilience when confronted with difficult situations. Despite encountering electrical issues, mold challenges, and escalating rent costs, she remained steadfast in her determination to create a safe and stable home for her son. With unyielding determination and commitment, Tarie pursued our Habitat for Humanity homeownership program. Her persistence and diligence bore fruit in September 2023 when her family were approved. Ever since, Tarie and Cornelius, along with their loved ones, have invested more than 100 hours of hard work to transform their vision into a tangible achievement. Today, they celebrated a monumental milestone: the groundbreaking ceremony for their future home. Witnessing this moment unfold, surrounded by loved ones, Habitat staff and Board president, Jake Matthews, and Robert Smith and his wife Kathryn, was a testament to the power of community and steadfast determination. Many thanks to Alabama Habitat for Humanity Affiliate Support Office and their distribution of ARPA funds and all of the supporters of the Robert Smith Square Foot Challenge. Through their efforts, we will be able to complete 20 projects over the next two years changing the lives of families in our community for generations to come. Join us in congratulating Tarie and her family as they take this exciting step towards a brighter future!