Selected News

Following our initial announcement and the excitement of the groundbreaking ceremony, Widefield School District 3 is proud to share a major milestone in our Rising Moon, Housing for Educators initiative. This unique partnership between Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity, Colorado Careers in Construction (CICC), and the District is officially moving from blueprints to reality.

At the heart of this project is a simple but powerful goal: ensuring the people who dedicate their lives to our students can afford to live in the community they serve. Today, we are thrilled to spotlight one of the first future homeowners in this development—one of our very own District 3 staff members, Crystal.

For Crystal, the journey to homeownership was previously filled with the hurdles of a challenging housing market. When the District first announced the plan to utilize a plot of land—originally unsuitable for a new school but perfect for a residential community—Crystal saw a glimmer of hope.

"I think it was really, respectable of the district to do that," Crystal shared. "Being able to say, ‘it’s not going to work for us for another school, but it would work for our educators to have somewhere to go.’"

After navigating a rigorous application process including financial reviews and home visits, Crystal received the call that would change her family's trajectory. Now, instead of worrying about rising rents or long commutes, she is preparing to build a permanent foundation right here in the district where her children attend school.

The project is now entering the "Sweat Equity" phase. Over the coming months, Crystal will contribute 200 hours of service, working alongside volunteers and students on the build site.

As the grounds are prepared and the build timeline begins, the District remains committed to this innovative model of educator support. By staying in Colorado Springs and District 3, staff like Crystal provide the stability and continuity our students need to thrive.

As Crystal puts it: "I’m going to be a homeowner and be able to stay in Colorado Springs and see my kids through graduation at Mesa Ridge. It’s just a huge thing for me."

Stay tuned for further updates as we watch these homes—and the futures of our staff and students—rise together.