The white frame house in the curve of a Snellville cul-de-sac holds a special significance for Lynnette Ward. It's the fulfillment of a dream that had looked dim when she was living with her three children in a battered-women's shelter.

"I was in a shelter for 93 days when I heard about the Rainbow Village program," said Ward. "They helped me get into an affordable house, and from there I was able to live in a townhouse and a rented apartment before I came here."

Jason Getz / jgetz@ajc.com (ENLARGE)

Lynette Ward pets the family cat with son Marquee Ward, 12. Ward's journey to her Snellville home was a long one made possible with the help of a nonprofit called Rainbow Village.

Jason Getz / jgetz@ajc.com (ENLARGE)

Ward, with Marquee (left) and Marquell, 11, relaxes in the living room.

Jason Getz / jgetz@ajc.com (ENLARGE)

Donated labor and building materials made the home affordable enough for Ward to purchase it.

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The 4-year-old house she now occupies was built by David Weekly Homes, with contributed labor and materials that put the price within reach for Ward. At the time it was finished, Ward had been an active volunteer with Rainbow Village, a Norcross-based nonprofit that helps those who are homeless and have children to find extremely inexpensive transitional housing. Members of the program attend life-skills classes twice a week and can enroll their children in an after-school program that includes tutoring, while saving to get into their own home.

Through the program, Ward was able to buy the house for well under market value. All of the proceeds went to Rainbow Village.

"I could never have written a check big enough to say thank you to those people who saved my life," said Ward. "I was happy that they got the money for the house because they made it affordable for me to be here. And it's gorgeously built, at the end of a dead-end street, so it's quiet, with no traffic."

Ward is still tinkering with the decor of the house. She painted most of the walls a soft, soothing pink. The vaulted family room has a marble fireplace with a carved wood mantel, flanked by two windows and lined with several photos of her children and landscapes that she hasn't quite decided where to hang. A club chair and an overstuffed sofa, both in rich earth tones, anchor the sitting area that includes a television and bookcase. The furniture was donated by Sharp Residential; other companies provided the refrigerator, washer, dryer and mini-blinds.

"I'm definitely not a decorator," she said with a laugh. "I'm just trying to keep things organized. But I know I don't like dark colors and want the rooms to feel open."

Beyond the living room is the kitchen, with white cabinets and a curved counter that opens to the eating area. Around the table are two walls of windows and a door leading to the large backyard. One side of the house holds two bedrooms and the tiled bath shared by her children; on the opposite side is the master bedroom, tiled bath and an entry foyer for the two-car garage.

Ward was hired onto the Rainbow Village staff two years ago, and she now sees firsthand the critical need for the program's assistance.

"We used to average five to seven calls a week — now we're getting seven to 10 calls a day," said Ward. "But getting one family out of the system is a positive thing. I know it's been quite a blessing for me to be here."

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