Habitat for Humanity East Bay
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Family Dedication Photos
Meet the Hernandez/Martinez Family
Jeronimo and Nancy recently purchased a home with Habitat East Bay through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. They first moved to the United States from Mexico six years ago. They came separately, having never met, to help their parents out financially. Now married and parents to two young children, Vanessa (3) and Hugo (1), they are starting their own chapter.
The family tried purchasing a market-rate home for over year but couldn’t qualify because of their limited income. They were hoping to leave behind the small one-bedroom apartment they rent and the dangerous neighborhood; gunshots and drug dealing are common in the area.
After realizing homeownership through traditional means was not a possibility, Nancy’s sister encouraged them to apply for a Habitat home.
"For us, it is a dream that we have our own home and an investment for our children," Nancy says. "Our lives are going to change because we are going to be responsible to keep our home in good shape and treat our home like a treasure."
Jeronimo, who is a self-employed landscaper, is happy that his children will have space to grow and play and will finally have their own rooms. Nancy looks forward to finding a job and making some extra income to decorate the house; she’s currently a full-time stay-at-home mom.
The family enjoys visiting their relatives and taking the children to the park and zoo. They are also involved in church and have a strong support network of family and friends.
The first thing Nancy plans to do when they move in is hang a family portrait in the living room. She says it represents their happy family.
