Crystal Johnson with one of the championship teams who helped build the walls to her home last December
Fear was a constant companion during Crystal Johnson’s childhood in Avondale. Her home was broken into on a regular basis and her parents feared for the safety of their children. Crystal remembers going home to a house that had been broken into yet again, and her father doing his walk-through of her house to make sure it was safe enough for his family to come in. Her house was riddled with roaches and gophers – the roach problem only exacerbated Crystal’s asthma, another reason she couldn’t stay in her own home.
The fear and poverty of her childhood drove her to become a social worker. “I really wanted to make a difference in other people’s lives,” Crystal says. After graduating from Brainerd, Crystal pursued a degree in social work at UTC. Her first job was working with the children at Chambliss Children’s Shelter. She now works as a case worker at Fortwood Mental Health Center.
Crystal is determined to give her seven-year old daughter Kaya a home free of fear and to use
homeownership to break the cycle of poverty she has endured. Crystal’s determination led her to Habitat as a resource to reach that goal. “I’m so independent and I am ready to own a home of my own., ” Crystal says. Crystal’s home is under construction thanks to funding from the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Home team Partnership with Habitat for Humanity International, and volunteer service by many local volunteers.
