Building a Path to Home Ownership

For many families, homeownership is more than a dream – it’s a life-changing event. New memories to build, growing a family, gathering for the holidays… it’s an exciting time.

Homeownership also comes with an entirely new set of responsibilities – and costs. And for some, the dream of owning a home may seem out of each.

That’s where FAIRWINDS Credit Union, the FAIRWINDS Foundation, and community partners like Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando and Osceola County and Habitat for Humanity Seminole-Apopka step in. From providing critical and essential financial literacy programs to physically laying the foundation of a new home, here are some of the ways we are helping future homeowners.

Building Financial Foundations and Homes

• Earlier this year, the FAIRWINDS Foundation awarded $80,000 in grants to Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando and Osceola County and Habitat for Humanity Seminole-Apopkato help further their financial literacy and education programs.

• FAIRWINDS crewmembers regularly serve as course instructors at Financial Academy, Seminole-Apopka’s six-week financial education course. Through these free, in-person classes, future homeowners learn the basics of budgeting and saving, understanding mortgage terms and monthly expenses, and home maintenance planning.

• Crewmembers also volunteer their time at Habitat U, Greater Orlando and Osceola County’s curriculum that takes financial literacy classes to a new level. Classes are free and open to the public, giving future homeowners the opportunity to learn from FAIRWINDS experts about how to build emergency savings to protect yourself from mortgage scams. For Steven Nichols, Mortgage Loan Officer for FAIRWINDS, in-person workshops have a lasting impact. “They provide a safe environment where like-minded individuals can come together to learn, ask questions, and receive live feedback from an industry expert,” says Steven. “When you're in a room full of people on the same journey, it creates momentum. It helps you realize you're not the only one figuring things out – and that kind of community learning accelerates progress in a meaningful way.”

• In addition to volunteering in the classroom, crewmembers roll up their sleeves throughout the year and physically help to build new Habitat homes. Working side-by-side with future homeowners and their families, we’re proud to be a small part of the construction process from the ground up.

Building Community Connections

We were honored to be recognized as the 2025Education Partner of the Year by Habitat for Humanity of Seminole - Apopka. From the Habitat team: “FAIRWINDS shares our belief that when individuals and families have the right tools and resources, they can build brighter futures. Their investment in financial wellness has expanded our educational programs and helped ensure long-term success for our future homeowners.”

At FAIRWINDS, helping to educate people in the communities we serve is not only an honor – it’s a responsibility.

“There’s so much information out there about buying a home that it often leaves people more confused than confident,” says Steven. “Being able to cut through that noise and help someone truly understand the process—and more importantly, feel empowered to take action—is incredibly meaningful.”

Steven adds, “There’s nothing quite like that moment when the lightbulb comes on, and you see someone realize, ‘I can actually do this.’”

And thanks to our collaboration with community partners, moments like that are happening every day.