When 9-year-old Camya learned her family was moving into a brand-new house, she was excited about having her own room, playing outside with friends, and hosting sleepovers.
Now, thanks to Operation Homefront’s Homes on the Homefront (HOTH) program and its generous donors, Camya and her parents, both Marine Corps veterans, will get to settle down.
“We probably moved five to six times since Camya was born,” said Camya’s mom, Marine Cpl. Shandrika Shreves. “She’ll finally have a stable environment.”
The family’s new home in the Atlanta area is near family, something they value, especially for Camya and her 1-year-old sister, Saniya.
“Homeownership is something (we) always dreamed of having, and it’s so amazing to not only have a house but to have a brand-new home given to you,” she said. “[Operation Homefront and its donors are] definitely giving us a step up on giving our family the best way of life.”
They appreciated the program’s financial counseling, which helped them increase savings and budget wisely.
Shandrika and her husband, Marine Sgt. Juval Shreves, each served four years. They met during training. She served with a task force that trained Marines going to Afghanistan, and she helped test weapons. He supported infantry by maintaining weapons.
Now, while they are enjoying security and stability, Shandrika is pursuing a biology degree, and Juval is a firefighter in nearby Fulton, Georgia.
“We get to go to sleep without suffering, and struggling, and contemplating. It’s such a big deal,” she said. “We really appreciate that gift.”
