For the past 12 years Norma, a single mother with two kids – Kayla (18) and Chris (12)- has been trying to find a way to change the living situation for her family. Their neighborhood was plagued with gang violence, drug trafficking and shootings and she knew she wanted a better future for her kids. The building itself had broken and damaged appliances, holes in the doors and walls and no help or maintenance from the building owners. These issues only continued to get worse as Norma searched for new housing opportunities.  

mother and children

“The most important thing for me is my children and their safety. They are my world and I want to be able to provide my children a place they could feel safe and be able to call home.” 

After years of searching and putting in over 250 hours of “sweat equity” volunteer time with SGV Habitat, Norma and her kids are just moments away from having the keys to a home of their own. Soon Kayla, Chris and Norma will move into their newly renovated house in El Sereno. 

“With this opportunity my children will be able to strive for more, such as with their education, being able to be active, and I will not have to struggle with having to worry about my children’s safety, said Norma.” 

Her kids are also ecstatic about the new home and their new rooms with Kayla saying “I think it will be nice to have my own personal space, since I’ve had to share a room for the past 18 years. So I’m pretty glad that I get my own space and my own privacy.” She looks forward to decorating. Chris also likes the benefits of the new home saying “my friends live around here, and my school is close to here.” And when asked about having his own room he laughed and simply said “more sleep.”  

As Norma stood with her son and daughter in their soon to be home she had tears of joys as she said: 

“Its just been a blessing, and I want to thank the volunteers for all the hours and the effort, it means a lot to us. If it wasn’t for SGV Habitat, and the volunteers, I wouldn’t have this right now. I wouldn’t have a place for my kids.” 

mother and children
A New Beginning for Norma’s Family

When Emille first learned that applications were open for the El Sereno homes, she didn’t hesitate. “Oh, I’m going to apply,” she thought, “and [my partner] is going to apply along with me.” But when she received the life-changing news that she had been chosen, the feeling was beyond what she imagined. “I was overwhelmed with excitement,” she recalls. “It was a great feeling.”

For Emille, El Sereno is more than just a place to live—it’s home in every sense of the word. “It’s a close community, very close. There are so many people I’ve known for years.” Born and raised in El Sereno, she has built a life here, watching her four children grow into adulthood with bright futures ahead. The chance to become a homeowner without leaving the neighborhood she loves was a perfect fit. “The homes were right in the community I grew up in. It was a big convenience for me that I didn’t need to go out of my community. I’m rooted in El Sereno.”

Becoming a homeowner with SGV Habitat was more than just getting a future home—it was about building something with her own hands. Volunteering to restore homes in El Sereno was a new experience for Emille, one that gave her the opportunity to work on her own future home. “I worked on the home that was chosen for me, and I worked on another [El Sereno] home. It’s exciting to know you’re helping another homeowner. Putting in your Sweat Equity is rewarding because you’re doing it for a good cause. For someone to live in their home and be rooted in that home with their family.

She wasn’t alone in the process. Her partner, Ignacio, volunteered alongside her, even helping lay the flooring in one of the rooms of their future home. Her children also pitched in to help her complete her Sweat Equity hours. “Working with the construction team has been amazing. They’re so courteous and welcoming, always there to help.” And the volunteers? “Everyone is very kind and very courteous.

Now, with the home nearly ready, Emille looks forward to the memories she’ll create there. “Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Making cookies with my grandson. Bonding in the kitchen.” She’s especially excited about the backyard, where she plans to put her green thumb to work. “I can’t wait to plant vegetables out there. I’m definitely planting a blueberry bush.”

Reflecting on the journey, Emille is deeply grateful for SGV Habitat and the opportunity they’ve given her. “The qualities of Habitat are compassion, courtesy, honor, and readiness. They are always ready to help.” And thanks to that support, she’s ready to step into this new chapter of homeownership, right where she belongs—rooted in El Sereno.

 

If you donate now – your gift can help more families like Emille!

Give Summer a Purpose – Your gift can build 2X the hope!

Thanks to a generous matching gift given by the De Nova Community Fund in support of our El Sereno homes, every dollar you give to San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity will be matched dollar for-dollar up to $25,000 — but only for the next 30 days!

That means your $50 gift becomes $100. Your $100 becomes $200. Your most generous gift doubles instantly to make twice the impact for local families.

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