The Hernandez Family Celebrates Homeownership Dream Come True
Los Angeles, CA ? August 3, 2007: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (www.habitatla.org) will honor The Hernandez family in a home dedication ceremony Monday, August 6th in Watts. The family of five, who previously shared a dilapidated one-bedroom apartment in a neighborhood plagued with violence, is the latest Habitat for Humanity partner family and proud new owner of a single-family home located across from the famous Watts Towers.
WHO: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles & The Hernandez Family
WHAT: Home Dedication Ceremony & Housewarming Celebration
WHEN: Monday, August 6 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm
WHERE: Hernandez Family Home 1775 East Santa Ana Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90002 (Located across from Watts Towers)
WHY: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles works in partnership with local families and volunteers to make affordable housing and homeownership a reality. The Hernandez family has completed at least 500 hours of ?sweat equity? building their home as a down payment and will pay back a zero-interest loan. The Watts home was acquired by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles through the Los Angeles Housing Department-Homeownership Division as a home rehabilitation project. Habitat for Humanity president and CEO, Erin Rank will lead the ceremony, followed by a key and Bible presentation to the Hernandez family. Home tours will be offered following the short program.
About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles HFH GLA (www.habitatla.org) strives to eliminate poverty housing through advocacy, education and partnership with families in need to build simple, decent affordable housing. Since 1990, HFH GLA has built more than 190 homes, transforming the lives of hundreds of individuals. In the spring of 2007, HFH GLA kicked off its three-year Building a Greater Los Angeles campaign to build or renovate over 250 homes in Los Angeles County. Nearly 100 of these homes will be completed with the help of over 4000 volunteers from around the world during the Jimmy Carter Work Project, a five-day build project this fall.
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Contacts:
Patty Lee, Habitat for Humanity GLA T: 310-323-4663 x 106 plee@habitatla.org
Silvia Hernandez Israel Qitana, 55 Douglas Torres, 23, Son Jonathan Torres, 19, Son Arcelia Castillo, 92, Mother
Silvia and her family live in a violent neighborhood where they are terrorized by some of the most dangerous gangs in Southern California. Drive-by shootings, drug activity, muggings and burglaries are regular neighborhood activities.
This family of five includes Silvia?s 92 year-old mother who sleeps on a pull-out cot in the living room. Their one bedroom apartment is in alarming disrepair. There is significant water damage throughout the house; there are holes in the walls and ceiling and the paint is cracked and peeling. Windows are broken and covered with bolted security bars; window screens are either torn or missing.
Electrical outlets are not to code and dangerously overloaded since there are only three fuses for the entire house. The house is infested with roaches, mice and termites. The kitchen oven does not work and the gas valve must be shut off because of leaks.
Silvia?s long time friends describe her as a ?very caring, loving and responsible individual? who has always provided for her family and remains positive in spite of the challenges she faces.
Silvia is committed to the work of Habitat for Humanity,
?We will always find time to willingly and enthusiastically participate in the building of our home and the homes of our future neighbors. We are dedicated to being a part of the HFH team and supporting the construction of our future community.?
