Families living in Habitat for Humanity homes lined up to welcome three new families into their community Saturday. They passed house keys to the Crossroads subdivision's newest homeowners then greeted the families as they used the keys for the first time.
Thao and Blia Yang will now live in a four bedroom home with their seven children. The family arrived in the United States three years ago after living in a refugee camp in Thailand for more than 30 years. "She says she's very happy she has the opportunity to come to the United States and own a home for her children to live in. She's very happy," said a family member who translated for Blia Yang.
Habitat volunteer Patty Wallers helped guide the Yang family through the application and building process. To her, Saturday's dedication ceremony was personal. "They've never owned a home before and also they're new to the country, so the whole 'American Dream' is so real to them, it really touches the heart," said Wallers.
The Yangs are among the final families moving into 51 habitat homes in the Crossroads subdivision that has been 12 years in the making. Here, families don't just get affordable homes; they also get to be a part of a safe and secure community. "Just the other day I was out here, standing out from this house, and I saw little Chris Long on his way to school, his mom walking him to the bus stop, and I thought, 'it has come full circle'. This community is full, there is life there is family, there is safety, and there is security. It was incredible," said Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Tony Miranda.
Volunteers who helped build the Habitat for Humanity homes also participated in Saturday's dedication ceremony. The recipients also helped build the homes. They are required to put in at least 500 hours of sweat equity.
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