The Kearney Family’s Story

Meet Katina and Isaac. Katina Kearney is a lifelong Gainesville resident, proud to call the city her home for the past 45 years. A devoted mother, hardworking Certified Nursing Assistant, and caring neighbor, Katina’s life is grounded in care—for her son, her patients, and now her future as a Habitat homeowner.

Katina’s path has never been about shortcuts; it’s been about purpose. After attending Express Training to become a nursing assistant, she’s dedicated her career to caring for others. Even in her free time, Katina's heart remains with her family. Whether it's shopping, watching movies, or enjoying cookouts and vacations, she makes every moment count—especially when it comes to her four-year-old son, Isaac.

Isaac is the heart of Katina’s world. Bursting with joy, energy, and compassion, he lights up every room he enters. He loves outdoor play, watching TV, and spending time with his beloved dog, Missy. For Katina, the best moments are the simple ones: following Isaac’s lead through parks, toys, and laughter. “Spending time with my son and doing things he likes to do,” she says, “is what brings me the most joy.”

That deep love and desire to build a brighter future for Isaac is what led Katina to apply to Alachua Habitat for Humanity. “I just didn’t want to keep paying rent all of my life,” she explains. “Now that I have a child, I want to leave him a place to call home.” When she found out her application was approved, she was overcome with joy, excitement, and gratitude.

Her Habitat journey has already been transformative. She’s learning how to maintain a home, meeting kindhearted volunteers and fellow future homeowners, and embracing each step with optimism. For Katina, her future home represents far more than walls and a roof—it symbolizes stability, comfort, and happiness. Her favorite space will be the kitchen, which she imagines as a clean, neat, and welcoming place where family memories will be made.

Homeownership will be a turning point: a new chapter filled with peace and possibility for both Katina and Isaac. It’s not just about owning a home—it’s about building a legacy of love, security, and hope for the next generation.

Home Proudly Sponsored By:

Everyone deserves a safe & affordable place to call home.

Strong and stable homes help build strong and stable communities.

Safe shelter is something we all need to thrive. With a little help, we all have the potential to stand n our own. Bold actions speak louder than words. Working together, side by side, promotes understanding and self-reliance.

No matter who we are or where we come from…

We all deserve to have shelter. We deserve to feel strength and stability day after day. We deserve to know we have the power to care for ourselves and our families and build our futures. At Habitat for Humanity, this principle is what unites us. Through shelter, we empower. Our shared vision is a world where everyone has a safe place to live. Because we are all humans. And every single one of us deserves the opportunity for a better future.

Alachua Habitat for Humanity

Founded in 1986, Alachua Habitat for Humanity is the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. We envision a world where everyone has a decent place to live and we work towards that vision by bringing people together to build strength, stability, and independence through shelter. To accomplish these goals, we invite people of all backgrounds, races, and religions to build houses “Habitat Houses“ together in partnership with families in need of affordable housing. Habitat houses are sold to homeowner families financed with mortgages they can afford. For more information visit our About Page.

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