My name is Chris Ryan, and I’m 62 years old. I grew up in New Hampshire, the eldest of 16 children. I left home at 15 and spent the next 30 years in California where I raised my 2 daughters. When they struck out on their own, I moved to New Orleans in 1998.
My rented home in Chalmette was destroyed during Katrina flooding, and after evacuating to Church Point, LA, for 2 months I returned to New Orleans, where I have moved 4 times in the last 5 years. A good friend who had been accepted into the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity program suggested that I look into the program, which I did in the fall of 2010. Much to my surprise, I was quickly accepted into the home buyers program.
For me, Habitat for Humanity is a dream come true. After renting for 30+ years, I’m actually going to be able to buy a home. Words cannot express my gratitude to the Habitat program, and I will forever be in your debt. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.