Rooted in Gratitude: The Batson Family’s New Beginning
Written By Volunteer Writer Katrina Machetta
For many, the dream of homeownership represents stability, love, and a lasting legacy. For Chandra Batson, her husband, and their son, that dream has finally come true.
With a private yard, a sunlit windowsill herb cart, and the quiet dignity of personal space, this home is more than just a structure—it’s a sanctuary. Thanks to the Homeownership Program through Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, the Batson family now has a place to truly call their own.
Chandra and her husband have been married for 20 years, and together they’ve always dreamed of having a home to raise their blended family. She grew up in New York, sharing everything with her brother and sister, and her husband—born in Bluefields, Jamaica—was the third of 11 children. Both Chandra and her husband experienced firsthand what it was like to go without, which only deepened their desire to give their own family something lasting, stable, and theirs.
“Anything is possible at any age,” Chandra reflects. “You just have to be encouraged, you just have to have that motivation—and anything can happen.”
To Chandra, this home symbolizes far more than bricks and beams. It’s a blessing born of determination, a powerful reminder that dreams are achieved, not given.
“I really am excited. I am thankful, and I am grateful,” she says, her voice full of emotion.
Being selected for this opportunity is a point of pride, the culmination of effort and resilience. “There’s nothing free in life,” Chandra emphasizes. “You have to work for it. A lot of people think this was free—it’s not. You have to put in the effort.”
Before applying, the Batson family lived in Chandra’s grandmother’s heir property—an aging home in need of major repairs they legally couldn’t make. When Chandra, a CDL driver and trainer for Sumter County Schools, saw a mass email sent to all district employees about Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, she felt it was a sign.
“It’s not going to hurt,” she thought. “This is the perfect opportunity.” With encouragement from Casey Ferguson, who oversees the CTE Adult Education program for Sumter County Schools and works closely with Habitat Staff as part of our Youth Construction Academy, Chandra applied—and never looked back.
Chandra’s journey was a process filled with perseverance, personal growth, and the unwavering support of a community that believed in her dream. Through Habitat’s comprehensive housing program, she gained essential skills in budgeting, personal finance, and economic literacy. Alongside her, the Habitat Lake-Sumter staff worked hand-in-hand, ensuring a transparent and supportive experience from start to finish. The community, too, played a role—gathering together to help build not just a house, but a future.
“It’s not just a program that gives you a house,” she says. “You have to be sure it’s right for your family. Are you all willing to put in the sweat equity? That’s your motivation right there—knowing it’s for the greater good.” Though they faced some struggles along the way, the Batson family leaned on one another and persevered through the process together.
“Don’t ever take anything for granted,” Chandra says with quiet conviction. “I’m appreciative of what everyone has done. I was raised to appreciate these things in life.”
With immense gratitude, Chandra adds, “To all the coordinators, sponsors, students, and volunteers—we thank each and every one of you for giving us this opportunity.”
Now, with her family under their new home, Chandra Batson begins a new chapter—rooted in gratitude, strengthened by perseverance, and surrounded by love.