Human Trafficking Survivor Buys Home Through HabiJax

A special home opening celebration was held Friday morning in Murray Hill for a woman who thought she would never be able to buy a home.

“To be able to look back and see it, even though I didn't see the hope at the time, I know now that it's real,” Shirley told News4Jax.

Shirley is now a first-time homeowner thanks to a Habitat for Humanity Jacksonville affordable housing program known as HabiJax.

She is also a survivor of human trafficking and wants her story to inspire others.

Shirley, who asked to use only her first name for her protection, said she was full of gratitude and joy.

“I don’t think it’s really sunk in,” Shirley said as she gave News4JAX a tour of her new home. “It's like, 'Is this true?' I'm just grateful for it.

She said her experience spanned 10 years and also included nearly 50 arrests.

“I left my marriage and my family because I wanted to find out who I was,” Shirley said. “Not knowing who I was, I couldn’t find that or the need to be loved. The desire to be desired took over. The drugs and alcohol took over everything. I surrendered and really wanted to start living and asked for help. I wanted direction.

She is now able to help others.

Nearly a year ago, Shirley began purchasing a home in Murray Hill through HabiJax's affordable housing program.

She became the 11th woman to purchase what is considered a “woman-built home.”

Kevin Collison of HabiJax said Women Build is a movement to empower women to contribute to affordable housing solutions and help others along the way.

“Women Build highlights and showcases the work of women and homeowners like Shirley who have overcome obstacles and found stability in their lives,” Collison said.

Collison said Shirley is a champion for others.

“Shirley's attitude from the beginning was not to care about herself, but to set an example for others,” Collison said. “Even as she celebrates this home, she already encourages her comrades who are recovering from exploitation to find the safety and instability of home. »

A group called “Arize Together” partnered with HabiJax for the construction. He works with women recovering from human trafficking and helps them find stable housing.

Co-founder Chantelle Kammerdiener said Shirley was an ambassador.

“Shirley is a remarkable person,” Kammerdiener said. “She is strong and she inspires me personally. The way she pours out into people, I think she will inspire others and uplift them. She exudes gratitude and has worked hard to recover. I've known this has been working in her life for some time, and I'm personally thrilled and excited to see this dream come true for Shirley.

Since 2019, Shirley has worked with a local charity called Rethreaded, which supports survivors of human trafficking through recovery.

Shirley is still putting the finishing touches on her new space, which she hopes her children and grandchildren will enjoy with her when she visits.

“Starting out with making the wrong choices and then going into this dark, dark place for so many years and not finding a way out,” Shirley said of her difficult times. “But getting to the other side and being able to look back and say, ‘God did that.’”

She is grateful for the hope she has found and says the same hope is available to others who might be like her.

For those who are interested in possibly purchasing a home through HabiJax, you can visit its website.

This story was produced by News4Jax, a Jacksonville today press partner.