The Kearse Family’s Story

Meet the Kearse Family. Tanisha Kearse’s journey has been shaped by resilience, determination, and the unwavering love of a mother who dreams big for her children. Originally from High Point, North Carolina, Tanisha has called this community home for the past 27 years. A graduate of a nursing program, she works as a unit assistant — a role where her caring heart shines through every day.

When she isn’t working, Tanisha enjoys exploring new recipes in the kitchen, traveling whenever she can, and spending quality time with her family. Movie nights and game nights in the living room, surrounded by the laughter and energy of her children, are some of her most treasured moments.

Tanisha is the proud mother of four amazing kids who will share her future Habitat home. Her children — Zay (10), Ry (6), Jay (2), and baby Ju (6 months) — each have their own unique spark. Zay, the oldest, is compassionate and creative, with a love of baseball. Ry is adventurous and brave, thinking about trying basketball soon. Jay is an independent two-year-old who already adores football, while little Ju is Tanisha’s happy baby, always ready to smile.

The Kearse family’s current living situation has been challenging, with cramped spaces and thin walls that make it hard for the kids to fully be themselves. Loud neighbors, limited space, and constant worries about the noise level have made daily life stressful. Tanisha realized she wanted more — not just an apartment, but a true home where her children could thrive. Encouraged by her best friend, she decided to apply to Habitat for Humanity. When she learned she had been approved, she was both excited and nervous, ready to take this life-changing step.

For Tanisha, building with Habitat has been a powerful experience. She’s enjoyed meeting new people and learning new skills on the build sites, gaining confidence and a sense of community along the way. When she envisions her new home, the living room stands out: a big couch, a large TV for movie nights, and a cozy rug for family game nights. Most of all, she looks forward to the freedom — not worrying about her kids making too much noise, not stressing over the wear and tear of small children living in a small space. Instead, she dreams of making beautiful memories that will last a lifetime.

Owning her own home means so much more to Tanisha than just a roof over their heads. It represents a solid foundation, the stability she has worked hard to provide, and a brighter future for her children. Thanks to the generosity and support of donors and volunteers, Tanisha and her family are stepping into a home that will help them build a life filled with hope, growth, and love.

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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Santa Fe House 15 in Partnership with CPPI