Tracy’s story is one of resilience in the face of adversity. She moved to the Vegas Valley with her mother and sister 47 years ago. Instead of attending college, Tracy immediately began working to help her single mother with bills. She has worked several jobs around town, but she spent the longest time at the Showboat Hotel and Casino until its closure in 2004.
When she was 23 years old, Tracy received a call informing her that her aunt had been diagnosed with cancer and needed help caring for her three children, ages 11, 5, and 9 months. Sadly, her aunt passed away, leaving her three children without their mother. Determined, Tracy made the decision to raise her cousins. Although it was difficult, she had the support of her mother and sister in caring for them until they passed away in 1995 and 2013.
Tracy married and was blessed with her miracle baby, Erica, in 200
6 after being previously told she couldn’t have children. However, misfortune struck again when her husband abandoned them soon after. This was a turning point for her, and she decided to take her fate into her own hands.
Despite her struggles, Tracy has experienced significant accomplishments that she is very proud of. Through all her hard work, she was able to pay off her car and eliminate her debt, allowing her to live debt-free. She is particularly proud of the woman Erica has become, describing her as a respectable young lady full of ambition and promise. Erica graduated high school in 2024 and is now attending UNLV. In addition to achieving homeownership, Tracy hopes to help pay for her daughter’s college.
Life hasn’t always been easy, but Tracy considers herself very blessed to be surrounded by the people she loves, including her daughter and her now-grown cousins along with their children. The only thing missing is a home of her own.
Tracy says owning a Habitat home will give her stability. She will no longer have to worry about eligibility for housing assistance or the threat of eviction or displacement. She also seeks better financial management by avoiding the unpredictability of rental prices. She looks forward to the peace of mind she’ll have once she is finally a homeowner.
