Morning Star Senior Living - Espindola Vicario (Blue Team)

Date Build: Monday 8th- Tuesday 9th April 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION:

FATHER: Floriberto

Age: 29 years old

Job: Brick layer

Weekly salary: $280 US

MOTHER: Sandra

Age: 32 years old

Job: factory

Weekly salary: $ 137 US

CHILDREN

Esmeralda - 14 years old

Luz - 13 years old

Mateo - 2 years old

Letter from the family:

Hello! my name is Sandra Vicario, I come from a town in the south of Mexico. There I worked in farming for some years but the salaries were very bad and sometimes there was no work because it was not the season for it so I had to leave to work in the city. First I left alone and left my children with my mom for sometime and then I brought them with me to the city. Some friends of us told us there were better work and living opportunities in Tijuana so we moved here. We were renting for a while and then we started giving land payments for a piece of land but soon we realized we couldn't do both so we built a little shack and that's where we've been living with two other family members that needed our help. Sometimes my youngest kid gets sick because the house is too cold for him. With the rains We had to ask for money to fix some parts of our roof but it still leaks. We are working very hard but our situation is very difficult that's why we ask for your help. May the Lord bless you and keep you wherever you go!! Thank you so much for considering us for a Home of Hope!

Morning Star Senior Living - Cresencio Lopez (Green Team)

Date Build: Monday 8th- Tuesday 9th April 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION:

MOTHER: Analidia

Age: 31 years old

Job: Hairstylist

Weekly salary: $218 US

CHILDREN

Mia - 17 years old

Teresa - 11 years old

Omar - 9 years old

Letter from the family:

Hello Homes of Hope, I’m a single mom since three years ago, I left my husband's house because of domestic violence. I have three children and I work at a salon cutting hair. I’ve had to live under very unfortunate conditions because I don’t make enough money to pay normal rent. But God has never left me, right now I live with a friend but I really hope you guys can help me make this dream of having a home of our own come true. Thank you so much for helping single moms like me!

Colorado Uplift - RANGEL GONZALES ( Red Team)

Date Build: Friday 5th - Saturday 6th April 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION:

MOTHER: Justina

Age: 55 years old

Job: House cleaning

Salary Weekly: $90US

CHILDREN

Monserrath - 28 years old

Bryan - 13 years old

Byron - 6 years old (Monserrath's Son)

Letter from the family:

I kindly seek for your assistance in building my home. Despite numerous attempts to save for it, unexpected circumstances always disrupt my efforts. Recently, my father passed away, and that took away most of my savings. As a single mom for the past four years, my income is not enough, and my children struggle to secure stable employment. Rent payments are very hard, especially as the father of my children provides minimal support. Though I've worked tirelessly, I've been unable to provide much for my son. I humbly request your aid in building our home. Even without electricity, we'll move in once it's built. Your support is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for your help. God bless you.

Colorado Uplift - SANTILLAN CONTRERAS (Purple Team)

Date Build: Friday 5th- Saturday 6th April 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION:

MOTHER: Blanca

Age: 32 years old

Job: sales (tamales)

Salary Weekly: $218US

CHILDREN

Jesus - 5 years old

Cristian - 12 years old

Jose - 15 years old

Letter from the family:

I am Mrs. Blanca Estela Contrera Paulo, a single mother of three children: Jose Miguel, 15 years old, Cristian, 12 years old, and Jesus Manuel, 5 years old.

I am writing to request assistance because right now we live in a small wooden room that leaks when it rains. The floor is made of soil, and truthfully, I am in great need of help. I am a mother, homemaker, and also sell tamales to provide for my family.

It saddens me greatly to see my children suffer when our room gets wet. The walls are old, and our need is immense.

I plead for your help. Thank you very much for listening to my request.

Sincerely, Mrs. Blanca Estela

Summit Church - RUELAS GARCIA (Pink Team)

Date Build: Friday 5th- Saturday 6th April 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION:

FATHER: Edgar

Age: 27 years old

Job: bricklayer assistant

Salary Weekly: $ $170us

MOTHER: Karen

Age: 24 years old

Job: Stay at Home Mom

CHILDREN

Eithan - 6 years old

Dafne - 2 years old

Letter from the family:

My name is Karen Belén García Ortega, I am 24 years old, and my husband, Edgar Gabriel Ruelas Torres, is 27 and works as a mason's assistant. He is the main provider for our small family. We have two children, Eithan Mateo Ruelas García, aged 6, and Dafne Paulet Ruelas Garcia who is 2 years old. They are our motivation to strive for a better future. We are reaching out to Casitas de Esperanza in the hope of receiving assistance to build a home for our children.

Over the past two years, we have faced significant challenges, primarily due to our son Mateo falling seriously ill with appendicitis at the age of 4. This illness drained our finances as we struggled to cover medical expenses, and my husband had to leave his job to care for Mateo in the hospital, while I tended to Dafne, who was just a month old at the time. Despite having family, we lacked the support needed for someone to care for our children, so we took turns being with them. After Mateo's recovery, we faced further difficulties when heavy rains forced us to leave our rented accommodation, resulting in the loss of our possessions.

Currently, we reside in a room provided by my husband's aunt, who insists we save up to build our own home. However, our efforts were thwarted when my husband suffered an accident in April 2023, fracturing his ankle. The savings we had accumulated were depleted once again, covering household expenses and Mateo's schooling. We are reaching out to you for support in building a secure home for our family.

We are grateful for the lessons we have learned through adversity and remain hopeful for a brighter future. We appreciate any assistance you can provide in helping us establish a stable environment for our children. Thank you for considering our request.

Sincerely, Karen Belén García Ortega

New Life Church Everett - GONZALEZ AGUILERA (BROWN TEAM)

Date Build: Thursday 4th - Friday 5th April 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION:

MOTHER: BRENDA

Age: 31 years old

Job: Factory

Salary Weekly: $135US

CHILDREN

Ariadne - 6 years old

Letter from the family:

Hello! my name is Breanda I'm a single mom from the state of Veracruz. I used to live with my partner (my daughter's father), but he abused me a lot, even in front of our daughter, and this continued for 6 years until I decided to separate.Now I am alone with my daughter, Ariadne Yamileth, and I need to provide a roof over her head. I work and pay for my land. While my mother helps me by taking care of my daughter, it's hard for me with all the expenses to provide a decent home for her. I try to give her what I can, but it's somewhat impossible for me. I know there are people who don't need a Home of Hope, and sometimes it's hard to believe in people. But I assure you, if I had the opportunity to have my own well-built house, I would really take care of it. I appeal to your kind heart, and if it's not possible, thank you very much for reading my letter.

Renton Christian School - VIVEROS MEDINA (Orange Team)

Date Build: Tuesday 2nd - Wednesday 3rd, April 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION:

FATHER: Ramon

Age: 40 years old

Job: Retail store

Salary Weekly: $237 US

MOTHER: Araceli

Age: 41 years old

Job: Stay at Home Mom

CHILDREN

Monserrat - 22 years old

Eduardo - 20 years old

Leonardo- 14 years old

Joshua- 11 years old

Letter from the family:

My name is Araceli Medina Alvarado, and my husband is Ramon Alberto Viveros Hernandez. We got married at the ages of 18 and 17, and now, after 22 years of marriage, we are blessed with four wonderful children: Monserrat (22), Everardo (20), Leonardo (14), and Joshua (11), who has been on epilepsy medication since he was 4. We come from Nextlalpan, a municipality in the State of Mexico, where there is scarce employment and significant need.

Four years ago, when our daughter was 18 and our son 16, we faced financial hardship and could no longer afford their education. We made the difficult decision to move in search of better opportunities. Unfortunately, due to poor decisions and misplaced trust, we lost our home and had to live with my parents. Despite my husband's hard work, the situation remained challenging.

Two years ago, our older children, now 20 and 18, decided to bring us to live with them as both my father and husband fell ill with COVID-19. My father passed away, but by the grace of God, my husband recovered. With great effort, they brought us and our younger children here.

Nine days after my father's death, we arrived, hoping for a better life. Initially, I doubted our decision, but now I believe it was not mere chance that brought us here. We have found solace in our church community, witnessing their love and support.

I pray to God for a home. While we currently have a shelter, the two rooms my husband built are not sturdy, with one wall partially collapsing. I worry for my children's safety, especially during the rainy season when water seeps in. If it were just my husband and me, we could endure, but I fear for my children.

I beseech God with all my heart for a home. However, I also ask that if there is a family in greater need, they receive assistance. I only ask that my family does not lose hope, and I pray that my husband can complete the payments for the land.

Thank you for your work. Just reaching out to you ignites hope in us for a better life and a home filled with hope for my children.

Bethel CRC MA - ESTRADA VALENZUELA (Green Team)

Date Build: Wednesday 27 - Thursday 28 March 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION:

FATHER: Oduver

Age: 32 years old

Job: street musician

Salary Weekly: $120US

MOTHER: Beatriz

Age: 25 years old

Job: street vendor

Salary Weekly: $90US

CHILDREN

Eder - 9 years old

Oduver - 6 years old

Eddy - 3 years old

Letter from the family:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I hope you will give us the opportunity to read our letter. We are a family of 5 people: my husband, myself, and our 3 children. We have been together for almost 11 years. My husband plays guitar for a living; he performs in taquerias, flea markets, and other places that give him the chance to play.

I became a mother at the age of 16 because my mother passed away when I was just 1 year old. I was left under my father's care, who unfortunately turned to drugs. So, I thank God for giving me a great man. It hasn't been easy for us; we've been moving from one rental to another. About 3 years ago, when my third child was born, we were lent a small house. However, when the pandemic hit, we couldn't find work anywhere, so we started selling clothes at the flea market. We didn't get the clothes for free. Then, the house we were lent caught fire due to a short circuit in the wiring. With a lot of effort, we managed to save up for a piece of land, but we didn't have enough money to build even a small room. That's why we are reaching out to you. We would truly appreciate it from the bottom of our hearts if you could give us the opportunity.

Now, our relatives and friends have helped us build a small room made of blocks. However, since it didn't have a proper foundation, one of the walls recently loosened and is about to collapse. It doesn't have any windows, and water leaks in when it rains. We've put a tarp on the roof, but because rentals are so expensive, we are currently living on the land. My family and I sincerely thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you very much, and may God bless you for crossing our paths.

Tiburon - RUIZ HERNANDEZ (Blue Team)

Date Build: Monday 25 - Tuesday 26 March 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION:

MOTHER: Zelma

Age: 33 years old

Job: house cleaning

Salary Weekly: $$200US

CHILDREN

Sayuri - 15 years old

Zoe - 11 years old

Letter from the family:

I am a mother and provider. I work during the day not to neglect them; in the morning, I take them to school, and while they are studying, I am working. A lady named Doña Norma kindly picks them up. My girls are growing well, thank God, but with their growth, they also need more space and privacy, which they currently lack. My intention is not to evoke pity, but you do not know how grateful I am. God, in His infinite mercy, gave me a second chance at life. I am a survivor of a brain tumor, and now I am blessed again because you have taken us into account. To be able to afford food and payments we had to make while I was undergoing medical treatment, we had to sell most of our things and only kept the basics. I promised my daughters that I would not give up, and you came like a ray of light in the darkness. I hope that God grants me health and happiness so that I can serve as you do. Furthermore, I thank you for your time and attention, and I hope to receive a positive response from you. I bid you farewell and express my gratitude.

Tiburon - MENCHACA LOPEZ (Red Team)

Date Build: Monday 25 - Tuesday 26 March 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION:

FATHER: Antonio

Age: 50 years old

Job: driver

Salary Weekly: $$150US

MOTHER: Erika

Age: 29 years old

Job: worker

Salary Weekly: $$140US

CHILDREN

Kevin - 10 years old

Giovana - 7 years old

Letter from the family:

Hello, I hope you are well. My name is Erika. Please let me share with you a bit of my life. 7 years ago, I Struggled with depression and fell into drug addiction because of the death of my children’s father right after I gave birth. My partner now has helped me with this addiction, he took me out of where I was living and we went to rent a house, but it was a place that seemed to rain more inside than outside. He started getting worried because of these difficult conditions for my 2 children, so he started to make payments on a property that he wants to be for my children. We would like our own home so we don’t have to pay rent and to have a stable place to live for my children and us. Thanks to God, this is an important moment because I have been clean for 4 years and I want to give my children a stable home. Thank you so much for these blessings and may God bless you as you continue to bless others with more homes.

Tiburon - HERNANDEZ MARTINEZ (Brown Team)

Date Build: Monday 25 - Tuesday 26 March 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION:

FATHER: Jesus

Age: 24 years old

Job: build worker

Salary Weekly: $$200US

MOTHER: Neishelli

Age: 23 years old

Job: Stay at Home Mom

CHILDREN

Melany - 1 years old

Letter from the family:

Hi my name is Nashelli, I have lived here with my husband for 5 years. His name is Jesus and he has lived in Tijuana for 12 years. We are originally from Veracruz, but we decided to come here because we could not find work there. My husband started working here, we decided to get married and then we were able to get our property. We built a small house with the little resources we had and then I got pregnant. I had our daughter, Melany, who is 1 year old. We just started building 2 years ago, but the wood is already damaged from the rain and the roof is leaking. We have a dirt floor and my daughter is walking but I can’t let her there. We don’t have financial stability so we have not been able to buy new material for our house and that is why I am asking for help with Home of Hope. The cold weather and rain is back and I want my daughter to have a safe place to grow up since she is still small. This house would be such a blessing.

Rotary Club of Calgary West - GONZALEZ ARCINIEGA (Pink Team)

Date Build: FRI 22 - SAT 23, March 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION:

FATHER: Concepcion

Age: 58 years old

Job: security guard

Salary Weekly: $130US

CHILDREN

Ricardo - 13 years old

Ximena - 10 years old

Jose - 9 years old

Letter from the family:

Hello my name is Ximena (daughter), I want to tell you a story about our lives. When we didn’t have anywhere to live, we lived on my dad’s property and we would get wet when it rained, even on Christmas we did not have any firewood to stay warm. Later my dad got a job on a ranch and he went to live there with my brother Ricardo and my and my brother Jose went to live with my uncle. But my uncle was always scolding us so my dad came and got us and we went back to live where we were getting wet when it rained. I am asking God that you will build us a house so we don’t get wet any more, to have a fridge so our food doesn't go bad and for my dad to get a good job and we can live a happy life together.

Rotary Club of Calgary West - LINARES GERARDO (Purple Team)

Date Build: FRI 22 - SAT 23, March 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION:

FATHER: Miguel

Age: 42 years old

Job: taxi driver

Salary Weekly: $$90US

MOTHER: Fabiola

Age: 37 years old

Job: tortilla seller

Salary Weekly: $$175US

CHILDREN

Diana - 22 years old

Samuel - 23 years old

Miguel - 13 years old

Linda 8 - years old

Letter from the family:

Hello, my name is Fabiola, and in the last months my situation has become very complicated financially and emotionally. There are days when I want to throw in the towel thinking about what I have been through. I know that it is God that has given me the strength to continue on even when I lack faith or feel very alone. It makes me so sad to see my son depressed, closed up in the house all day and he doesn’t realize he needs help. I am helping my dad financially with his medicines because he is sick and I also have school payments and materials to buy for my kids. Unfortunately my husband does not help very much and because of all this I am asking for help from Homes of Hope, so that I can give my children a decent home to live in.

Rotary Club of Calgary West - HERNANDEZ MORENO (Red Team)

Date Build: Fri 22 - Sat 23, March 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION:

FATHER: Luis

Age: 31 years old

Job: driver

Salary Weekly: $$140US

MOTHER: Yesica

Age: 24 years old

Job: Stay at home Mom

CHILDREN

2 - years old

Letter from the family:

Hello my name is Luis Angel and I have a beautiful wife named Jessica Nayeli and a beautiful son named Angel Gael. I work as a messenger driver for the Sanoviv Hospital.

Some years ago, I was studying for a university degree in Aerospace engineering, and my dad was helping pay for my schooling and my sisters. Unfortunately he had a stroke and after he recovered could not keep paying for both, so I left my studies behind so my sister could continue. I wasn’t able to find a job either that worked with my class schedule so that I could pay for them and stay in school. I know it was the right decision because now my sister is an excellent architect and I am happy for her.

Later I was able to find work and save up to make the down payment for my property. I started university again studying Business Management this time, but then my dad had another stroke and did not recover well so I had to leave university again to take care of him. After a while, he got better and we were able to start a business together - a candy store - which was always his dream.

That’s where the Hernandez Moreno’s family story began when I met Jessica. She was a great support to me and I saw, through hard work, that the business was working well and growing, but then the pandemic hit and we had to close our business. I was very hard for me to keep up with all the payments for my property and I couldn’t find any work then, but my wive was very supportive and with me in every moment motivating me and helping to find a solution. I knew then she was the love of my life and with God, we would be able to continue moving forward.

In this whole process, when I didn’t even have 5 pesos to buy a soda, I was so frustrated I cried and I didnt know what to do… but I promised myself that if was I was to have a family some day, I would do anything in my power so that they wouldn’t have to ever go through that. I got a job as a waiter and was able to save up to pay some debts I had and the same day I made the final payment on my loan, my wife told me we were going to be parents! Thankfully we were able to live with my parents, but because of my dad’s illness it has been difficult and we decided we needed our own space. I have always worked very hard and now I worked even harder so that my family would not lack anything that they needed.

When I heard the preaching from the Homes of Hope staff, I realized something - that sometimes as men we want to cover all of the costs of our family that we lose sight of the most important thing that is spending time with our family. This broke my heart and I wants to cry because I dont want to put God in second place. I serve God at my church playing drums in the worship band and I realized at that point that I wasn’t focused on God because I was so focused on my family’s needs.

God has been so good to us and it’s because of him that we have our needs met. He gives us all the blessings that we have. We are filled with excitement at the possibility to starting something new with God, to be able to have a house would be such a blessing. May God bless each one of you that is a part of this project as you exalt God with your lives and actions.

Church on the Rock - ANGEL VALDEZ (Blue Team)

Date Build: Friday 22 - Saturday 23, March 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION:

FATHER: Victor

Age: 20 years old

Job: waiter

Salary Weekly: $200US

MOTHER: Viviana

Age: 18 years old

Job: Stay at Home Mom

CHILDREN

Santiago - 3 years old

Letter from the family:

Our story begins when I got pregnant at 15 years old, and my partner was 17. I spent my pregnancy living with my mom and then with my in-laws because we didn't have anywhere else to go. Later we moved to a room that we were renting from my aunt for 500 pesos. 2 months later, my baby Santiago was born. Later, this aunt got upset with me and said that we had to leave, we went back with my in laws for a while when my son was 4 months old. Then I started working as a cashier for a while. My partner has not been able to get a stable job, he has had a lot of ups and downs in his work. Later he was able to get a job as a waiter, and I also started working at a restaurant with a different schedule.

We worked so hard to be able to get our baby something for his first Christmas and to be able to put a down payment on our property - the cost was 20,000 pesos. During that year, I was paying my mother in law to watch the baby while I worked. Then she had a car accident and so I had to stop working to be able to take care of my baby. So my partner now is working so hard to pay our bills, buy food and of course pay for our property with just a small salary and the tips he makes at the restaurant. Thankfully, we have not fallen behind at all in our payments.

We have had some problems with my mother-in-law at her house, some disagreements about how we raise our child to the point that she wants us to leave her house. This is hard because we don’t have any savings to be able to build even a small room for us to live in.

This is the point that we are at now, and why we applied for a Homes of Hope house. We want to live in a place that’s just for our family, without conflicts and a place where we can form our family since we are still young and have a lot of excitement and are dedicated to what is to come for our family. Thank you for letting us share with you.

Love Does - NAVARRETE DERAS (Blue Team)

Date Build: Thursday 14 - Friday 15, March 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION:

FATHER: Serafin

Age: 47 years old

Job: blacksmith

Salary Weekly: $150US

MOTHER: Erika

Age: 42 years old

Job: Stay at Home Mom

CHILDREN

David - 11 years old

Johany - 6 years old

Letter from the family:

My motivation for asking for help with our home is that it would be a great blessing for my family. We are a low income family and our only source of income comes from my husband. We have had a really hard time but thanks to God we have always come out the other side. Because of so many struggles and problems we have not had the resources to build anything.

A little while ago, I got sick and the little bit of money that my husband earns was all spent on my medications. I don’t want my children to suffer anymore and I want them to have a nice place to live. I’m so happy that I can count on you and I am so grateful to God to be able to have a place to live. We hope to see you soon and may the Lord bless you greatly because of your great heart to help your neighbor. Thank you!

San Clemente - MARQUEZ RAMOS (Purple Team)

Date Build: Sat 09 - Sun 10, March 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION:

MOTHER: Yajaira

Age: 37 years old

Job: street vendor

Salary Weekly: $250US

CHILDREN

Aylin - 19 years old

Sayra - 13 years old

Letter from the family:

Hello, first I want to thank you because the way you help people is so beautiful and admirable. Also the devotion with which you do it also really moves my heart. The word that you shared at our orientation when we got the requirements for the house really spoke to my heart.

My husband was in drugs and unfortunately was killed 13 years ago. This really was a hard point in my life. My daughter Aylin was 6 and Sayra was still on the way. It was so painful and very difficult to lose my husband and the father of my children. With God’s help, I was able to keep moving forward because I realized that my daughters really needed me more than ever. They gave me the strength to continue on and I am so thankful to God for allowing me to live to be able to love and protect them.

I decided to start working even right after my youngest daughter was born, and since then I havent stopped working. My daughters are the ones that push me to be a better person and not give up. They look up to me and respect me and that makes me feel better.

In the last 13 years, I have had different jobs, like working nights in a factory and a gas station. Then I decided to start my own business and my daughters felt very proud of me. This way I can dedicate more time to them, which I couldn’t do before. I have not remarried and I have no other financial support from anyone, just my parents helped me take care of my kids. This was a blessing because I could work to support them without worrying that something bad could happen to them.

The main reason I would like a Homes of Hope house is for my daughters to have their own place for our small family. I have faith that this will happen and I am thankful for the opportunity to share with you.

Hovland Family - VILLALOBOS TOVAR (Green Team)

Date Build: Sat 24 - Sun 25, February 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION:

FATHER: Edgar

Age: 27 years old

Job: Furniture Store

Salary Weekly: $130US

MOTHER: Dayan

Age: 28 years old

Job: House wife

Salary Weekly: $120US

CHILDREN

Kevin - 9 years old

Yaretzi - 6 years old

Matias - 10 months old

Letter from the family: Hello!! We are the family Blanco Villalobos. We would love to thank you for this wonderful opportunity. We want a house to give security, calm, and hope to our family. We currently live in a really old borrowed RV in terrible conditions. The owners of it threaten us that they'll take it away from us soon. My daughter has also gotten sick multiple times because of the conditions we live in. We have two children and one baby and we worry about their health and we don’t want anything bad to happen to them. That’s why we ask you to take us into account for a Home of Hope because it’s only a matter of time until the owner of the RV takes it away and we don’t have a home anymore. We don’t have family in Tijuana to support us or help us. We just want our children to be well and that they don’t go through some of the suffering we’ve been through. Thank you so much for your help and for listening to our request.

Campos Calvary Chapel Old Towne - BECERRA GUERRA (Brown Team)

Date Build: Sat 17 - Sun 18, February 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION:

FATHER: Jonathan

Age: 40 years old

Job: factory

Salary Weekly: $ 120US

MOTHER: Mariana

Age: 34 years old

Job: Stay at home Mom

CHILDREN

Jaycee - 2 months old

Jayda - 8 years old

Jonathan - 11 years old

Letter from the family: Hello my name is mariana Guerra, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children and my husband is Jhonatan, we have been together almost 13 years. We are asking for a home because, when the pandemic took us by surprise, we lost our jobs and our incomes and that is when this difficult situation started. I found out i was pregnant just before I lost my job and, with the little bit of savings we had, my husband decided to invest it in a property. We wanted to be able to pay for all of our expenses and also the land payments to be able to build our new home. But we have not been able to build anything because we don’t have enough income since he is the only one who is working right now and I am in charge of taking care of our 3 kids. With all of my heart I hope to have the opportunity to have you come to build a home for our children. In advance, I thank you for your time to read this and take us into consideration. Thank you and blessings.

Porter/Fernandez Family - CASTILLO GARCIA (Teal Team)

Date Build: Sat 17 - Sun 18, February 2024

FAMILY INFORMATION:

FATHER: Aaron

Age: 31 years old

Job: valet parking

Salary Weekly: $100 US

MOTHER: Ana Maria

Age: 30 years old

Job: Fleet Market

Salary Weekly: $60 US

CHILDREN

Santiago - 12 years old

Italia - 2 years old

Letter from the family:

We are the Castillo Garcia family and we would like to thank you for your time and the opportunity to share with you a little bit about our lives and how we came here to apply for this support to have a better place to live.

We arrived from the state of Sonora 4 years ago with the hope of having a better life here. My parents sold their home to be able to buy something here where we could come and live. We arrived with them and at that time we were 6 people living together. When I became pregnant, our parents helped us to get a down payment for our land close to their home. Once my baby was born, now we are 7 people living together in 2 rooms, a bathroom and a common room that serves as the living room, kitchen and dining room. We like being together but it is very small.

Every month, with a lot of effort we are able to get the money for our land payment, even though having a baby has a lot of added expenses. This is why it has been impossible for us to build a home for ourselves.

We are asking for your help with a home because my baby is now 2 and my son is 12, and each one of them takes up space and we feel like we are invading my parent’s house now, even though I know they are happy to have their grandchildren with them. Each person needs their privacy and their own space, including my 18 year old sister that lives with them too. I would like to have a space where my baby can walk freely and without danger, where my adolescent son can feel comfortable in his own space, and where our stuff is not bothering anyone.

We know there are many people in need, but we decided to take a risk and try and ask for your help. Whatever you decide, we are thankful for the opportunity. May God bless you.