Women Build

2021 Women Build Home Recipients

The Guerrero Family
 

For Ivan and Angelica Guerrero, purchasing their Habitat home in Carter Park is the latest chapter in their Martin County love story.

Angelica, 25, and Ivan, 23, were both born and raised in Stuart. Though they had mutual friends throughout high school, they didn’t really begin talking until they connected through Facebook and decided to meet up at a rodeo in Okeechobee. After that day, it was hard to keep them apart.

He began working as a painter four years ago and they were married in December 2017. They have two children, Elizabeth, 2, and Ismael, six months.

“My daughter loves everything to do with music and dancing, she is shy at first but once she gets comfortable there’s no stopping her. She also loves chickens. She is such a character and we couldn’t have been more blessed with her,” Elizabeth said. “My son adds so much to our family that we didn’t know we were missing. He absolutely adores his sister, and is interested in everything she does.”

The family currently lives in a trailer between Stuart and Indiantown and they are looking very forward to the day when they can leave the terrible conditions they currently endure behind.

“We make do with what we have and we are thankful that we have a roof over our heads but we do not feel it is the safest place for our children,” she said. “There is a hole in the ceiling and floor from water coming through, we have termites in one of the rooms, we had to cut the wires in the kitchen outlet because it was sparking and catching fire, our back porch door does not shut, and it gets extremely hot inside without the AC. It is 3 bedrooms and 1 bath, but we currently share one room because but the second bedroom is way too far from us and has termites, and the third room is more like a closet so it is too small.”

The Guerreros heard about Habitat for Humanity of Martin County through a friend who is also a Habitat homeowner. They realized they might be a good fit and, once they met all the requirements, they applied to become homeowners.

“We knew we needed a better home for our family and, with our financial situation, we would have been struggling in any other home because of interest rates,” Angelica said.

Like any new homeowner, the Guerrero family is excited about having a place to call – and decorate as – their own.

“We are looking forward to decorating our children’s rooms (mainly letting our daughter pick out how she wants her room), and having natural light in the house,” Angelica said. “Having our own home will make us feel more comfortable, and honestly, more at peace for our children. We won’t have to worry about them falling through a hole in the floor or getting hurt by one of the outlets.

“We really appreciate who and what Habitat stands for. We will forever be thankful for the opportunity that this has given us, and to the volunteers and donors who have put their time, money, and effort towards helping us. This home will be a reminder to always help out and give back.”

About the Project

About Women Build
Women Build is a Habitat for Humanity International program that encourages women and girls to have fun and make a difference by building homes and communities. Women crews around the world have built thousands of homes since Women Build’s official creation in 1998. Each year, hundreds of homes are added as affiliates, donors and sponsors discover the impact of women volunteers and their resources. To learn how you can help, call (772) 223-9940 or e-mail volunteer@habitatmartin.org.
 
How Women Build helps build more homes
Women Build is a Habitat for Humanity International program that encourages women and girls to have fun and make a difference by building homes and communities. Thousands of houses have been built by women crews around the world – more than 1,000 have taken place since Women Build’s official creation in 1998. Each year hundreds more homes are added as affiliates, donors and sponsors discover the impact of women volunteers and their resources.
 
How to get involved with Women Build
Women Build has a variety of ways for you to be involved, from training to travel—all of it hands-on and designed to help you learn and work. Email Volunteer@habitatmartin.org , or call (772)223-9940 for more information.
 
Is it a problem if I don’t have any construction skills?
Don’t worry! Many women come to Women Build sites with no construction skills at all and still make a great impact. Training will be provided.
 
How do I help support the cost of Women Build?
You can help by donating to Women Build.

The Women Build program empowers women to build Habitat for Humanity homes

  • The Women Build program empowers women to build Habitat for Humanity homes, enabling them to positively impact the lives of children by making homeownership a present reality for families.
  • Women Build is not about excluding men; it's about including women. This project will also include Girls Build.
  • Women are often intimidated on a “mixed” construction site; but in the comfortable environment of a Women Build site, they quickly learn construction skills.
  • By planning projects where the majority of volunteers are women, Women Build involves more women in Habitat's construction efforts, thereby increasing the number of houses Habitat can build.
  • When women come together in a supportive environment, they feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment and increased self-esteem.
  • More than 12 million U.S. children – one in six – are living in poverty.
  • Poverty is a severe threat to children's health, growth and potential.
  • Women can realize they hold the solution in their hands to move children out of poverty housing.
  • Women need not wait for others to address substandard housing issues. They have the capability and determination to be part of the solution one family at a time.
     

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