Judah's Journey
By Karen Free

Meet Judah Slovkovsky, oldest son of Rick and Theresa. In 1992, his family moved into their three-bedroom Habitat house in Sisters, Ore., when Judah was in the fifth grade. Seven years later, he has been chosen as one of 100 Ford Scholars in the Class of 1999, culled from a field of 2,644 applicants from Oregon and northern California. As a Ford Scholar, Judah receives a four-year scholarship to the school of his choice—the University of Portland, where he plans to major in biology.

What is noteworthy is not so much that a Habitat homeowner teen makes good; rather, it is Judah's character and what he knows about himself that is impressive.

The scholarship is based on financial need, SAT scores, community involvement, leadership skills, grade point average (his is 3.8) and the completion of two essays. On the topic of "most significant accomplishment to date," Judah shares: "My most significant accomplishment isn't any one thing, but rather the process of blossoming. I used to be scared of people, scared of pulling myself forward and speaking what needs to be spoken. When you're not a coward, and not afraid to step up, then good things can happen."

"Judah used to be very bashful—he didn't deal real well with people," says Joan Mariss, the Slovkovsky's family partner. "But the entire family has a beautiful outlook on life—I'm sure it was his dad who helped him with that."

Outlook has played a significant role in a family that seeks the silver lining despite adversity.

"Growing up poor has certainly had its hardships, but it's brought us together as well," says Theresa. "I think those experiences have put integrity in our family."

"I empathize with being poor because it's hard [to raise a family]," she says. "During the early years, I planted a garden and learned to can; we raised rabbits and feasted on roasted rabbit at Thanksgiving time. Having decent housing lifts a tremendous burden off parents; a safe place to grow up in has benefited us."

As he considers what a difference living in his Habitat house has made, Judah turns philosophical.

"It's a great home base," he says. "You don't spend much time at home when you're a teen-ager, you know, but it's a nice eye in the storm [while] going through the hellhole of adolescence."


Karen Free is associate editor of Habitat World.


Reprinted from Habitat World Magazine, October/November 1999.
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©1999 Habitat for Humanity International