Chance Meeting Changes The Future for a Family of Five
San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity
Our vision: A San Gabriel Valley and a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Brenda, who is a future SGV Habitat for Humanity homeowner, had a serendipitous introduction to SGV Habitat.?After finding items on a buy/sell app she met the seller at her home, and a friendly conversation ensued between the two women about their families. Brenda expressed that her one bedroom, one bath back house was extremely small for their family of 5 but after years of searching for a home, their efforts were thwarted due to the outrageous cost of housing. The woman shared that she was able to purchase her home through the SGV Habitat homeownership program.
Brenda immediately researched SGV Habitat and learned that the homeownership application deadline was quickly approaching. In February 2020 Brenda and her husband Gerardo successfully submitted their application. In March 2020 Covid-19 shut down all SGV Habitat construction. The dream of homeownership for Brenda and Gerardo was once again put on hold. But they didn’t give up...
“The day that Laura (Director of Programs at SGV Habitat) called to tell us that our application was accepted I cried with joy, and I haven’t stopped crying since,” Brenda said, tears in her eyes remembering the day. “We kept praying and praying. It was such an overwhelming and amazing feeling,” Brenda continued her voice breaking with emotion.
After being accepted into the SGV Habitat homeownership program, Brenda and Gerardo, for the first time felt that the dream of owning their own home would become a reality.?After years of searching for an affordable home, only to be left with a feeling of despair, they finally felt hopeful. Homeownership means that Brenda and Gerardo will finally have the security and stability they have desired for so many years.
Brenda and Gerardo's future home is part of our participation in Habitat’s BuildBetter with Whirlpool initiative this year. This initiative expands upon Habitat’s current efforts to help homeowners mitigate the impact of climate change with more energy-efficient and resilient homes... read more about Brenda and Gerardo's story here...