Next Step Advisor's- Martinez Vazquez Family

Build Dates: November 13th & 14th, 2015

Family Information:

Father- Antonio

• Age: 47
• Profession: Works on a Ranch
• Weekly Salary:

Mother- Zoila

• Age: 41
• Profession: Housekeeper
  • Salary: $25 for 2 days work every week

Children-

• Luis, 13 yrs, 7th Grade (boy)

Property Information:

Colonia- Fracc. Arce
Time with property- 1 year
Electricity-No
Running Water- They buy water

Family Story:

Antonio and Zoila are from Oaxaca. They had moved to the USA illegally and there is where they had their 2 children. 5 years ago they decided to return to Mexico because they couldn't find good work and the rent was expensive. When they got back to Mexico they decided to buy a piece of land on credit here in Ensenada. A neighbor helped them by giving them a little trailer, but that trailer is not in good conditions anymore. They have tried to buy beams and wood in order to build something, but have been unable to. They have 2 children, but Melina their daughter, doesn't live with them. Melina has kidney problems and stayed in the USA to receive medical treatments. Melina lives with some people they know and works to be able to pay for her expenses there. Zoila works cleaning houses 2 or 3 times a week and Antonio works at a ranch feeding horses twice a day for 3 hours each time. They also send their daughter money to cover her rent. At the moment, they are unable to build themselves a house.

Wenatchee- Saavedra Leyva Family

Build Dates: November 8th & 9th, 2015

Family Information:

Mother- Gabriela

• Age: 44
• Profession: Field Worker
• Weekly Salary: $50

Children-

• Yesenia, 10 yrs, 5th Grade (girl)
• Jonathan, 4 yrs, Kindergarten (boy)
• Anahi, 3 yrs (girl)

Property Information:

Colonia- 2 de Septiembre
Time with property- 23 years
Electricity- Yes
Running Water- Yes

Family Story:

Gabriela is a single mother who had 4 children. 1 passed away last year; 1 has been in jail for 2 years now for a crime they didn't commit, but is expected to be released anytime; her other 2 daughters have struggled with drugs, 1 is in rehab and the other works in the fields in Maneadero. Her daughters had a son and 2 daughters of their own, but the children were taken away from their parents by DIF and Gabriela is now their legal caretaker/guardian. They are currently living in Maneadero in a house that has been lent to them for a time for Gabriela to be able to work in the fields nearby because their house had burned down a year ago. Gabriela earns $50 a week working in the fields. Her son that is in jail is planning to live with her as soon as he is released. He has a wife and 2 month of baby.

Sparks Blue Team- Vargas Rodriguez Family

Build Dates: October 31st-November 1st

Family Information:

Mother- Maria Rocio

• Age: 28
• Profession: Makes tortillas
• Weekly Salary: $50

Children-

• Josselyn, 7 yrs, 2nd Grade (girl)
• Hugo, 5 yrs, Kindergarten (boy)

Property Information:

Colonia- Paraiso
Time with property- 4 months
Electricity-
Running Water-

Family Story:

Rocio is a single mother. The children's father treated Rocio badly, and Rocio decided separate from him for a while. After getting back together she realized he hadn't changed and decided to leave him for good. She felt this was best for her and her children. It has been very difficult for Rocio being a single mother and having to care for 2 children. Thankfully, Rocio had the support of her mother who helped her by paying their rent. Rocio's family encouraged her to get land so she could have her own home and not need to worry about paying rent each month. Now, instead of paying rent, Rocio uses that money to make payments towards the land she bought on credit. With the help of her uncle and brother-in-law, she was also able to put up a small structure where they mow live. Rocio used to work in the fields as a day laborer, but she has now started her own business making and selling tortillas. The money she ears she uses for the home on food, water, electricity, clothing, the children's school, and land payments. Rocio's desire is to give a home to her children and a better life. It has been difficult for her with all of their expenses, but she has hope that one day they will be able to live in a safe and peaceful home.

Sparks Red Team- Vargas Garcia Family

Build Dates: October 31st-November 1st

Family Information:

Mother- Mariana

• Age: 22
• Profession: Field Worker
• Weekly Salary: $56

Children-

• Jennifer, 3 yrs

Property Information:

Colonia- Paraiso
Time with property- 6 months
Electricity- No
Running Water- No

Family Story:

Mariana is from San Luis where she was married and became pregnant. The baby became ill so she came to Ensenada. The baby was born with heart complications and died at the age of 3. During this time, Mariana and her husband separated and didn't get back together. Mariana met another man and married him, and when her first child passed away, she discovered she was pregnant with her daughter Jennifer. After Jennifer was born, Mariana had to leave her second husband because he became abusive towards her and their daughter. Mariana's sister encouraged her to also get her own piece of land since she had been living with family members and hadn't had her own place. It was 6 months ago when Mariana made her down payment and moved to her land. She paid for someone to build them a small wood structure and roof. Mariana works as a day laborer in the fields, starting at 6am and leaving when done. Mariana has to pay her neighbor about $4 a day to watch her daughter while she is away. Mariana doesn't have electricity, but her other neighbor is her sister and her sister passes her electricity at night. Jennifer's daughter wants nothing to do with her and doesn't pay any child support.