“We’ve had a lot of barriers in life, but we never gave up on our hopes and dreams. As a family, we always strive for better. I never thought we would be able to buy a house. This will be a stable, forever home. We are so grateful.”
Habitat Families
MADISON FAMILY
To call the Madison family hard-working is an understatement. Adam and Trisha both have physical limitations — Adam is legally blind while Trisha has been dealing with nervous system issues for her entire adult life. Despite their limitations, they find ways to help others in the community and are amazing parents to their three children while supporting Trisha’s brother who has Cerebral Palsy.
A Habitat home means so much to the Madison family. Their new home will be ADA-compliant, which means wider hallways and doorways to fit Trisha’s brother’s wheelchair and grab bars in each bathroom. They’re looking forward to the freedom that will come with a one-story home (no stairs to navigate and climb) built with their needs in mind.
I want to be a role model for my kids and women, regardless of our ethnicity, that dreams do come true when you work hard, have faith, and never give up!”
ARREOLA-LOPEZ FAMILY
Alma is no stranger to hard work and perserverence. At the age of 14, Alma moved to the United States with her father, leaving the rest of her family in Mexico. At 15, she began working in a factory while dreaming of one day going to college. At 17, she enrolled in high school and began learning English for the first time. After graduation, life kept Alma from college until she was 27. “I have always told God — ‘you don’t have to open a door for me, just open a little window and I will get through there!’”
In 2019, Alma’s dream of graduating college came true when she earned her nursing degree. She now works in home healthcare while raising her two children and has a new goal of becoming a homeowner.
Alma’s parents both now live in Mexico, but with her new Habitat home, she’ll be able to bring them both to the United States to live with her. “It is an honor to be able to care for my parents as they get older.”
This home will provide stability for my family and allow me to create financial security for my children.
Jessica
Habitat Homeowner
SMITH FAMILY
Jessica is a mother of 4 and is the Director of Operations for a local Fort Wayne non-profit. After living in a 3-bedroom apartment for 4 years, Jessica’s rent unexpectedly increased by over $300/month! With a much higher rent payment in the budget, Jessica applied for the Habitat program to see if she would qualify for an affordable, stable mortgage.
Once accepted into the program, Jessica was a trailblazer — she completed all 200 hours of sweat equity in under 100 days! She decided to keep her Habitat journey a secret from her children so she could surprise them with what they’ve all been dreaming of…a home all their own.
Vincent + Gentile
After living in a refugee camp for 20 years, Vincent and Gentile were able to move to the United States and start their family. Becoming homeowners was their greatest dream. “Where I grew up is not anywhere I wish anyone to be. I have always had a dream of changing my life.”
Vincent discovered Habitat as he drove through Southeast Fort Wayne and saw Habitat homes under construction. When he got home Gentile told him of a friend who had been accepted into the program and they knew it was worth a try. After being accepted into the Homeownership Program, Vincent shared that you learn the value of your home through volunteering on the construction site and attending classes.