Habitat experience empowers Springfield couple

Date: 11/30/2010

Dec. 6, 2010

By Lori Szepelak

Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD -- Marta Ruiz and Jose Justiniano are thankful for a lot of things in their lives, including Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity (GSHFH).

In December, they will hold the keys to home ownership, a dream come true for the couple who have two children, Joseph, 6, and Jaylynn, 4.

"We've always dreamed of having a corner lot," said Ruiz during an early morning site visit at 19 Gunn Square.

For the fifth time, GSHFH has partnered with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans on a home construction project. The official kickoff ceremony was conducted April 24. On that date, dozens of volunteers from the local Lutheran community gathered to help raise the walls for the first and second floors of the home. Since then, groups of volunteers have been on site several times each week to keep the project moving forward.

A dedication ceremony was scheduled for Nov. 21 to thank everyone who participated in the project. Ruiz noted she hopes her family will be able to move in before Christmas.

GSHFH is a housing ministry dedicated to strengthening communities by empowering low-income families to change their lives and the lives of future generations through homeownership opportunities. Habitat's mission is unique as it requires partner families to work alongside the community that is reaching out to help them. Each Habitat partner family provides "sweat equity," or physical labor, toward the construction of their own home, other Habitat family homes and special projects. Partner families provide between 250 and 400 hours of sweat equity and participate in educational programs designed to help them achieve successful homeownership.

"The entire process has been empowering," said Justiniano.

Ruiz echoed those sentiments.

"Words cannot express how we feel toward the wonderful people who have given their time to help us," she said.

Habitat partner families are selected based on three criteria: ability to pay a zero-percent interest mortgage; need for simple, decent shelter and willingness to partner with the organization, sponsors and community volunteers.

When they aren't working on their 1800-square-foot home, Ruiz works as a paraprofessional for the City of Springfield in the Education Department, and Justiniano serves as a cook at Popeye's Restaurant in Chicopee.

The couple noted they have already met all of their neighbors and said "they are wonderful."

Soon the couple will be trading their apartment for their own home, and note they couldn't have done it without everyone's help.

"Thank you to all from the bottom of my heart," said Ruiz.

For more information on GSHFH's homeownership opportunities or to volunteer one's services, call 739-5503, ext. 20, or visit www.habitatspringfield.org.

GSHFH has helped more than 35 families realize their dream of homeownership over the past 22 years. Of the families helped, more than 50 percent of these families are single mothers looking for an opportunity to allow their children to grow up in a safe, affordable home.