Father’s Day Spotlight: Navy Veteran Jason Goggins Builds More Than Just a Home with Habitat for Humanity Barry County

This Father’s Day, we celebrate the incredible dads in our Habitat for Humanity community who go above and beyond for their families. Jason Goggins, a Navy veteran and single father of three, exemplifies the resilience, determination, and love that makes a great dad – and a perfect Habitat partner family.

A Father’s Unwavering Dedication

Jason’s story isn’t just about building a house; it’s about a father’s commitment to creating a better life for his children. As a single dad to three teenagers – including twin 13-year-olds and a 16-year-old – Jason has faced challenges that would overwhelm many. One of his twin sons, Jonah, has muscular dystrophy and became wheelchair-bound at age 11. When the family was able to get Jonah a power chair to increase his independence, their rental home became a barrier instead of a sanctuary.

“The door frames weren’t wide enough, the chair was too heavy to carry inside, and there was no ramp,” Jason explains. For a father watching his son struggle to access his own home, this wasn’t just an inconvenience – it was heartbreaking.

From Military Service to Single Parenthood

Jason’s journey to homeownership began long before he ever heard of Habitat for Humanity. A Navy veteran, Jason had dreamed of serving his country for 20 years before retiring in his 40s to pursue a second career. However, a service-related injury resulted in a disability that cut his military service short, forcing him to reimagine his future.

After leaving the Navy, Jason worked as a chef, but when he gained custody of his three children and became the primary caregiver for Jonah, the demanding hours of restaurant work became impossible to maintain. Like many parents who put their children’s needs first, Jason made the difficult decision to leave his culinary career behind. He found work at his children’s school as a substitute teacher and para-assistant, allowing him to be present for his family while still contributing to his community.

The Long Road to Habitat Partnership

Jason’s path to Habitat homeownership demonstrates the persistence that defines both great fathers and successful Habitat partner families. When someone in his Barry County community told him about Habitat for Humanity, Jason knew this could be the opportunity his family needed. However, his journey would test his determination.

Jason applied for the Habitat program just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and he had progressed well through the selection process when everything shut down. Like many organizations, Habitat for Humanity Barry County had to put all operations on hold to navigate the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic.

When operations resumed, Jason had to start the application process over again. Documents needed updating due to the time that had elapsed, and resources and circumstances required fresh evaluation after the extended delay.

Finally through the mortgage approval process as Barry County Habitat’s next homeowner, Jason faced another hurdle: there was no property available for construction. Rather than wait passively, Jason asked if he could help with the property search. True to his problem-solving nature, Jason found the very property that Barry County Habitat was able to purchase and build on.

Building Through a Pandemic

From land acquisition to fundraising to construction, Jason was involved in every aspect of creating his family’s home. The two-year building process coincided with some of the most challenging times for construction projects. Supply chain disruptions caused material deliveries to be delayed by three to four months multiple times. Energy and utility providers faced months-long backlogs for services and inspections. COVID outbreaks repeatedly delayed work progress.

Through it all, Jason remained an active participant, embodying the Habitat for Humanity principle that partner families are integral to the home-building process. His involvement wasn’t just about fulfilling sweat equity requirements – it was about a father taking ownership of his family’s future.

Creating Independence and Opportunity

Today, Jason’s Habitat home – which he’s owned since February 2023 – provides something his rental never could: true accessibility for his son. Jonah can now navigate his home independently in his power chair, giving him the dignity and freedom every teenager deserves.

The home has also become the foundation for Jason’s entrepreneurial spirit. Recognizing that traditional employment options are limited in rural Barry County – especially for someone who is the full-time caregiver for a son with special needs – Jason is building his own opportunities. He’s developing a homesteading business, with the goal of selling home-grown vegetables and eggs from chickens he raises on his property. He’s also working to establish a woodworking shop where he can create and sell handcrafted items.

While Jonah now learns through homeschooling due to the challenges of attending traditional school, his siblings continue their education at school while Jason balances multiple roles: father, caregiver, entrepreneur, and community member.

The Habitat Difference: A Hand Up, Not a Handout

Jason’s story perfectly illustrates what Habitat for Humanity is all about. Habitat doesn’t provide charity – we provide opportunity. Our partner families like Jason work harder than most to achieve homeownership, and Habitat provides the tools and support to make that dream possible.

Jason’s resilience, resourcefulness, and dedication to his children make him not just an exceptional Habitat partner, but an inspiring father. His willingness to stick with the application process, actively participate in finding property, and stay committed through a two-year building process during a global pandemic shows the determination that characterizes both successful Habitat partnerships and great parenting.

Celebrating Fathers Like Jason

This Father’s Day, we honor fathers like Jason Goggins who refuse to let circumstances define their families’ futures. From Navy service to single parenthood, from rental barriers to accessible homeownership, from career chef to homeschool teacher and entrepreneur – Jason has shown that being a great dad means adapting, persisting, and never giving up on your children’s dreams.

Habitat for Humanity Barry County is proud to have played a role in Jason’s journey, but the real credit belongs to him. His story reminds us why Habitat for Humanity exists: to provide opportunities for hardworking families to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through homeownership.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity Barry County and how you can support families like Jason’s, visit their website or contact them directly at (269) 948-9939. Every family deserves a decent place to live, and every father deserves the opportunity to provide that foundation for his children.

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Habitat for Humanity Barry County Contact: Cindy Preston, Executive Director cindy@hfhbarrycounty.org