Sidney Roberts is the kind of person who “dreams big, not little.”

So when the University of Louisville Hospital employee decided he wanted to own his own home, he went after his goal confident in his belief that it could happen if he worked hard enough.

Now, thanks to his steely determination, hundreds of hours of labor and a program offered through Habitat for Humanity of Metro Louisville, the 49-year old floor technician is opening the door to a new life.

“Life is about attitude and drive,” Sidney said. ”If you believe it, it can happen. It might not happen tomorrow, but it will happen if you don’t give up.”

That persistence has paid off for Sidney, who dedicated his new house on Saturday, February 19, with dozens of friends, volunteers, Habitat staff members and even a special appearance by Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, who lent a hammer to Sidney’s house on one of his inaugural days in office as part of a community-wide volunteering day in January.

Sidney was all smiles on dedication day with his family by his side, including his mother, three sisters, a brother, a daughter and seven grandchildren. He proudly received his new keys to his home in the same neighborhood where he grew up in the West End.

“I always dreamed of a house with a white picket fence," Sidney said at the dedication on his front porch. He was joined by dozens of Habitat staff members and volunteers, including many volunteers from house sponsor Texas Roadhouse.

Though Sidney may not have a white picket fence, his completely rehabbed and remodeled home does have two bedrooms, a shed, a basement and a back deck, all of which, Sidney is proud to point out, he helped to build himself. 

Sidney found out about Habitat for Humanity from a hospital co-worker, who is also a Habitat homeowner of almost 15 years now. She told Sidney about the assisted-housing opportunity. With funds from a metro government housing program, and an affordable zero interest mortgage through Habitat, Sidney was well on his journey to home ownership.

After his application was accepted, he attended financial literacy and home ownership classes, which included learning all the ins and outs of financing your own home, such as banking practices, inspections, insurance and all the paperwork. “I feel like I was really well-informed and prepared,” Sidney said.

Last, but certainly not least, Sidney – like all Habitat homeowners – helped to build his own house, logging more than 400 hours of “sweat equity” on nights and weekends to earn his way into the program.

Sidney said his philosophy is about taking great pride in everything he does, including his work at the hospital. He is friendly, outgoing and hard-working, with a ready smile for everyone, including co-workers and patients.

“I believe mood has a lot to do with how you heal,” Sidney said. “So, when I interact with patients, I try to keep a smile on my face and use my sense of humor. When you do that, people just open up."

His supervisor agreed that Sidney has a special way with people. “Sidney is very professional, always positive, always polite and courteous,” said Christy Washington, Assistant Director for Environmental Services. “He will step in to help someone and do anything you ask. He is just an all-around great guy.”

Kristy’s sentiments were echoed by Susan Turner, a Habitat volunteer house leader who supervised the construction on Sidney’s home. “He is one of the best homeowners we have ever worked with,” she said. “Not only was he hard-working and dedicated, he encouraged and motivated others. The experience couldn’t have been better.”

After seven months of hard work taking an abandoned and run-down property and transforming it into a beautiful home, Sidney said what he most looks forward to doing in his new house is cooking for his family and having get-togethers.

“This means so much. This home is like my castle now,” he said.

Now that his house is completed, Sidney is ready to rest – but not for long. He will be using his newly developed handyman skills to finish his basement for his next project. In fact, he has already enlisted the help of an electrician friend.

“Doing those hours building my house was one of the most fun things I’ve ever done in my life," he said. "I will never forget the experience.”

More than anything, Sidney believes the best part of building and buying his Habitat home has been the people he’s gotten to know along the way.

“I am so grateful and blessed with all the wonderful people I’ve met," he said. "They’re just the greatest.”

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Sidney, and for being such an outstanding employee at our hospital. We’re proud of you and we celebrate this major accomplishment in your life with you! Congratulations! You definitely deserve that beautiful home!