SACO — Sarah Thibault was facing a mountain — a mountain so big, she said, she just couldn’t see a way around it.

Disabled, the newly-single mother and her five boys were facing the loss of their home. Times were really tough, and the future looked grim.

But that changed, and with the help of her community, matters have improved — and they’re about to get even better. Her family has been chosen for the Habitat for Humanity York County new build in Saco. That means Thibault will be able to purchase a home for herself and her boys with a mortgage she can afford.

“This removed the mountain,” she said in a recent interview.

Thibault was candid about her circumstances. She has a myriad of chronic medical issues, and receives disability, but didn’t qualify for housing assistance — and even if she had, wait lists are lengthy. The boys, aged 9 to 2, have varying special needs.

“The realization that I was unable to provide for their most basic needs on my own was heart-shattering,” she said.

When the pandemic hit, and schools closed abruptly in March, Thibault found herself trying to keep up with virtual learning for the four school-aged boys, and trying to make ends meet. The Saco school community helped a lot, she said, bringing food and other necessities, and a mortgage loan officer was among those that pitched in. They began exploring options, but there didn’t seem to be any that had a chance of working.

Then Thibault thought of Habitat for Humanity and the loan officer, who had previously done work with the program, encouraged her to apply. She did, completing the paperwork in September.

In November, one of the selection committee members knocked on her door.

“She said ‘I want to tell you congratulations, your family has been chosen to be the Saco partner family,'” Thibault recalled.

Thibault said she burst into tears, and at first, the boys were nervous when they heard her crying.

“They asked if they were sad or happy tears,” she said. The boys knew she was looking for a place the family could live, and they knew about Habitat for Humanity.

When he learned the family was chosen, “the first words from the second oldest were ‘thank you, God,’ and he hugged his brothers,” she recalled. “Their reaction was to embrace each other. Thank God for the blessing. They are the most selfless boys I have ever encountered; their hearts are so big and caring, and I am honored to be their mother.”

These days, the family lives in an apartment — another piece of good fortune, since the landlord had many, many inquiries and 20 people had been scheduled to look at the rental, Thibault among them. She explained about the house project and wasn’t sure how that would impact any lease arrangement. The landlord called the following day and said it would be fine.

Because of the size of the family, the Thibault’s house will have four bedrooms and 1 3/4 baths, a little bigger than most Habitat builds. Thibault said she has driven by the site with the boys a couple of times and noted there are markings that indicate site work is being planned.

The family hopes to be in their new home later this year — that is dependent upon volunteers and funds.

There has been some good news about that – Habitat for Humanity York County Director Amy Nucci said the organization has received building permits from the city of Saco, which donated the land for the project. Hancock Lumber, which recently opened in Saco on Route 1, donated all of the building materials and lumber for the Marguerite Road home.

“The York County chapter has selected the perfect family that is so deserving of this opportunity, and we’re thankful to be a part of making this special build happen,” said Hancock Lumber’s Marketing Director, Erin Plummer.

The Saco project is “the culmination of community generosity, said Nucci.

“Both of these gifts are extremely impactful as the cost of building materials continues to increase, and the availability of affordable, buildable land is very, very limited in York County,” said Nucci. “We are fundraising to cover the additional costs of this build.”

There will be a need for volunteers. Habitat for Humanity homes are built largely by people donating their time and skills. Families contribute “sweat equity” in the building of their own homes or the homes of other Habitat families. Sometimes families work in Habitat’s Re-store as their contribution, or if they are unable to work, friends and neighbors do so in their name, Nucci explained. Those who would like to volunteer for this first Saco build or donate funds may call the HFHYC office at 985-4850 or visit the website at www.habitatyorkcounty.org.

Thibault is thankful for all of those who have helped her family.

“I get goosebumps, the way this community has shown how big their hearts really are,” she said. “It’s been very humbling. I keep thinking ‘why, why would people I’ve never met before take a chance on my family and go out of their way to help us?’ It’s nothing I’ve never known before.”

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