For Josue, Karla, and their two young daughters, home has always been a temporary refuge—a small trailer shared with family, a studio apartment plagued by pests, or a space where the summer heat overwhelms their swamp cooler, leaving their little ones uncomfortable and restless. But now, through hard work, hope, and the support of Habitat for Humanity Tucson’s Homeownership Program, they are building a future filled with room to grow, stability, and faith.
Josue works as a caregiver; a role he describes as “calm” and meaningful. “I feel I am being of use in the work I do,” he shared. Karla dedicates her days to caring for their daughters, two-year-old Jacqueline and four-month-old Valeria. Like many young families, they dreamed of a place of their own but faced obstacles at every turn.
Their journey to Habitat Tucson began with a recommendation from Josue’s mother, whose friend suggested the Homeownership Program as a pathway to affordable housing. The family quickly embraced the opportunity, dedicating weekends to their sweat equity hours.
“We’re there on Saturday and Sundays working for a few hours at the construction site,” Josue explained. “It’s voluntary, and we’re doing it for ourselves and for other families. It’s a great opportunity.”
Through the program, Josue has learned construction skills he never imagined mastering and has also contributed at the HabiStore. But beyond the practical experience, he has found inspiration in the community of fellow homebuyers.
“I’ve observed that other families in the program have their own families, their own goals,” he noted. “I like that I am part of the program and am counting on getting a house. In the future, I want to keep with Habitat beyond working in the program to continue to support the community and others who are in the program.”
The family’s current living situation—a crowded trailer with Josue’s mother—has been a steppingstone but not a solution. “Here at my mom’s, everything is tightly packed,” Josue said. “Soon we’re going to have more room.”
For Karla, the vision of their new home centers on creating a nurturing environment for their daughters. She looks forward “to being organized and for the girls to have their room and space to play.”
When asked what stability means to them, Josue and Karla agreed it begins with “faith in God.” Their next goals are simple yet profound: continuing to save for their family’s needs and someday purchasing a reliable car.
As they build their home nail by nail, side by side with volunteers and future neighbors, Josue and Karla are crafting more than a house—they are building a foundation where their daughters can thrive, their faith can flourish, and their family can finally put down roots. For Josue, Karla, Jacqueline, and Valeria, stability starts with a home—and with hearts full of hope, they are nearly there.
Like Josue and Karla, your family can benefit from the Habitat for Humanity Tucson’s Homeownership Program. Learn more about how it works here.