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Continued from the previous page spent working with the organization, For the past 12 weeks, Georgetown
thereby allowing HFHWC to help other residents Dylan and Elda Torres have
one year. They must have a stable source families in need. been hard at work on their new home. The
of income. They must complete courses entire family has been a constant presence
on financial and homeowner education, For many families, the program is like on the construction site, including four-
pass a background check and, perhaps a dream come true. Hutto resident year-old Bella and three-year-old Ian
most importantly, work 300-500 hours on LaQuesha Graham has been eager to (though the actual work is, of course, left
a home project (theirs or someone else’s) start construction on her new Leander up to the adults). Their mother, Elda,
or at ReStore, HFHWC’s resale shop on home, where she and her five-year-old is enthusiastic about having something
Austin Avenue. son will move in November. Graham is a that is truly theirs. Research conducted
dedicated and hardworking mother, but by HFHWC echoes the importance of
Habitat for Humanity refers to this as with the high costs of rent and childcare, Elda’s pride in ownership, finding that
“sweat equity.” Believing that what the ensuring a better life for her and her son homeowners are more engaged in their
poor truly need to succeed is capital, not was beyond her reach. Through HFHWC, community and have children who are
charity, HFHWC purchases the land and Graham’s monthly mortgage will be half more likely to succeed academically.
materials for each house, which is then the amount she was paying in rent – a
constructed by volunteer laborers. In turn, savings she plans to invest in a degree When HFHWC completes work on a
homeowners repay these costs through in nursing. new home, a ceremony is held on the last
monthly mortgage payments and hours

Just a few of the Habitat for Humanity Williamson County volunteers hailing from Sun City Texas:
Front row: Dan Leo, Janie Walser, James Hodnet. Back row: Wayne Johnson, Jerry Blose, Mark Henderson.

70 | SUNRAYS SEPTEMBER 2016 ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG