Cristina’s Final Mortgage Payment

Alma “Cristina” Garza is having an amazing year. She’s celebrating her 20th anniversary at her job, she’s engaged to be married, and she submitted her last mortgage payment on her Habitat house.

Cristina’s worked hard to reach these milestones. She’s dedicated many years to working 6 days per week in order to make ends meet for herself and her two sons, Ulises and Eddy. When she first learned about Habitat in the late 90’s, she and her boys were living in a cramped, 1-bedroom apar tment that wasn’t safe. Their apartment windows were constantly wet with moisture, and the landlord would never fix the problem. Cristina started noticing that their food would go bad quickly, and a health inspector warned her that the moisture in the air was dangerous – especially for her kids.

Cristina still remembers the moment that she learned she would become a Habitat homeowner. “My boys gave me a big hug and we all jumped in a circle – we were so happy. Finally, we were going to have a home.”

For the first time in their lives, Ulises and Eddy would have their own bedrooms. The family was also able to get a dog, which is something they’d always wanted but could never have in their small apartment rentals. The pride they have for their house is evident from the meticulous landscaping outside to the clean and well cared for living areas inside. “It’s always such a good feeling walking into our house.

“My hopes and dreams have been built into this house!”

Cristina credits her Habitat home as the foundation in her family’s life. She also acknowledges that hard work and determination got her to where she is today. “I always told my sons that you can do anything, but you have to work hard for it.”

Congratulations Cristina!

To help more families like Cristina’s have a chance to build themselves a better life, please make a donation in support