My journey from a house to the hill

By Michelle Schulz
I was standing in this beautiful museum, surrounded by Habitat for Humanity affiliates from all over the country. Beautiful chandeliers hung from the ceiling. I was surrounded by 500 people, all dressed in their best. And I had to ask myself: how did I get here? 

When I started, I had almost nothing. I was a single mother to two children, with the toughest decade of my life still fresh in my mind, and I was on a mission to rebuild my life. And now here I was, surrounded by nothing but good. 

I was attending the 2026 Habitat on the Hill, a Habitat for Humanity International legislative and advocacy conference held annually in Washington, D.C. The four days at the conference, spent meeting other Habitat-minded people, ended up becoming such a defining moment in my journey. It started with a solo plane ride to Washington, D.C., and I hadn’t flown in 25 years.

As soon as I touched down, I got to the hotel and started meeting people. It was like having a piece of home right in our nation’s capital. I was among people who had the same hopes as I did for affordable living and affordable housing. We were all gathered in one place with the same mission. We attended workshops. We talked about the issues that families are facing today. And groups of people went to the Capitol to speak to lawmakers about the steps we could take so more people could achieve that American dream of living in a home they could call their own. 

My favorite moment was meeting another homeowner, Doris, who had gotten her home at the same exact time as I did about eight years ago. It was so great to hear how our journeys aligned; it was as though we were on the same path, both directed to that meeting. She’s now a council member in her city, and she works for Habitat. Doris is proof that this program can work wonders in so many beautiful ways.

My attendance at Habitat on the Hill reminded me that your story matters, no matter where you’re from or what your story might be.

I also had the opportunity to meet Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. I let him know I was a homeowner, and he let me know how important it was that I was there, and that I was sharing my journey.
​
If I’m ever offered the opportunity again, I would take it in a heartbeat. Nothing compares to spending time with people who feel like home and who are on the same exact mission as I am. I know where I started and I know where I am and I can’t wait to see the rest of my journey with Habitat for Humanity unfold.
 
Michelle Schulz (left) with Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International, and Jacob Boyer, Habitat Lakeside board member.