Every home has a story, and as Habitat SKKC celebrates our 40th anniversary in 2026, we’re excited to share the stories that have shaped the past four decades. Throughout the year, we’ll be highlighting legacy family stories from across our history — stories of partnership, resilience, and hope that remind us why this work matters.
When Iulia Z. and her family arrived in Seattle in February 2005, she wore a homemade fur coat and hat her mother had created especially for her move from eastern Europe. At the airport, where she was overheating in the crowds, Iulia saw people wearing far fewer clothes and was struck with the feeling that she had no idea where she was or what she was doing. The culture shock she experienced as a new immigrant to the United States took time to overcome, but Iulia’s persistence and strong will helped her to not only acclimate to a new city, but to make it feel like home.
Iulia was born and raised in Moldova, a small country between Romania and Ukraine. She had a very happy childhood with a large extended family, including lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins. However, things took an unprecedented turn when the Soviet Union collapsed. In the early 1990s, her parents, who were engineers, ended up out of work for an extended amount of time and then got sick. With her parents spending months at the hospital, Iulia had to grow up abruptly. There were times of extreme poverty while her parents were in the hospital, to the point of not knowing when the next meal would come.
While she is not deeply attached to her homeland, she cherishes childhood memories and stays in touch with dear friends and family. Given an opportunity to leave after winning the diversity visa, she immigrated to Seattle with her ex-husband and son Nicolae. They were granted the visa on her son’s first birthday. They were allowed four suitcases, two of which got lost in the move.
It was just the three of them seeking a fresh start with very limited resources. Iulia felt lucky to connect with a kind local family who picked them up from the airport, fed them, gave them beds, and guided them through the process of settling in. By day three, they had a car. By day six, her ex-husband was employed full time. Friends co-signed for their apartment, which she now understands was a big commitment. She feels grateful to the community who supported them through this major life transition.
—
Despite their quick acclimation to a new country, there were hurdles that prevented them from achieving their ultimate dream of homeownership. Iulia thought her family could buy a house from the open market, but the 2008 financial crisis changed everything. Their income dropped, and buying a house seemed unattainable. She learned about Habitat SKKC from friends she met through her son’s daycare. They had applied and were selected for a neighborhood in Snoqualmie. Motivated by their friends’ experience, Iulia’s family applied to Habitat in 2010 and were selected, a phone call she remembers as one of the best in her life.
The home dedication was emotional for Iulia, and after receiving the key to her new home, she went alone to clean and prepare for move-in day. Those first months in her new home were a rollercoaster of emotions and busyness as she worked full-time and cared for a new baby. When life finally slowed down, new feelings emerged. Iulia explains, “I was going around the house washing the walls, the doors, and the windows. I kissed the carpet. I was that emotional. It was a moment of disbelief, like, oh, this is all mine.”
They have now lived in the house for 16 years.
—
Today, Iulia is a higher education professional. She worked at a small technical college for years and now works at one of the largest colleges in the state. In her role, she touches every course and program and believes higher education is the most important social lift available. “I deeply care about the impact of my job. I was given an opportunity and therefore I want to pass it on,” she adds.
Nicolae is now 22, and he graduated with an associate degree and zero student loan debt. He is figuring out his next steps while working full time and living at home. He is still close with the friend he made in daycare who lives in another Habitat neighborhood; Habitat’s community often extends beyond physical boundaries. Her daughter Vera is 16 and in the 10th grade at a local high school. They also have a dachshund who has been with them for two years. The dog has a strong personality and keeps everyone on their toes.
Iulia enjoys hosting small, intimate gatherings at home, which has a view of Mount Si. Her favorite space is the kitchen, which is small but handy. Cooking puts her in a positive mindset, and she often thinks about the people who helped build her home. She explains, “When you cook, you get into a very specific mindset. You don’t want to be angry, you just want to think good thoughts about family and friends and the community. It’s been 16 years, but almost every day I remember those people who helped us build our house, who touched those walls, who donated money. Everyone has a lot of things they could do in their life, yet somehow people choose to go out and spend their time and funds to help strangers. That made such an impact on our lives. So, while I’m cooking, I think about all those people to whom we owe so much.”
During COVID lockdowns, she felt grateful for the house, which provided security and space for her work and the kids’ schooling. They rearranged furniture and adapted, finding comfort in their home and its access to nearby trails. Their home provided solace during those uncertain years, a feeling that remains with Iulia now.
She reflects, “I have a great sense of deep emotional security. This is our place, and the stability and safety that is provided to my children, to my family, is priceless. I keep thinking that if I didn’t have this house, my life would look so different. If not for Habitat, I absolutely would not be able to afford a house on my own, and who knows how my life would be? This is a sense of stability. This is a sense of peace. And I’m just so grateful we have it.”