For two decades, Sonia has dedicated her life to the students of the Sunnyside School District. But after a long day of work, she returns to a place where she doesn’t feel safe—a deteriorating mobile home where the sound of gunshots has replaced the peace and quiet she craves.
“I’ve been wanting to leave for some time,” Sonia shared. “You have to spend a lot of money for repairs and it’s hard to find someone to make them. I don’t feel it’s secure.”
This profound need for safety, combined with a longtime dream of homeownership, finally set Sonia on a path to a brighter future. After two previous attempts, her perseverance paid off, and she was accepted into Habitat for Humanity Tucson’s Homeownership Program on her third try.
Now, Sonia is eagerly completing her sweat equity hours, the hands-on work that future homeowners contribute to building their own homes and supporting Habitat’s mission. For her, it has been a journey of self-discovery.
“I find myself doing things I had never imagined,” she said with a sense of wonder. “For me this experience has been great. I never imagined how to put together walls for houses, use tools, but I’ve learned how to use the tools.”
She has embraced every aspect of the program, from working at the peaceful HabiStore, where she enjoyed cleaning quality furniture, to learning the fundamentals of construction at the CHUCK Center.
“I really liked the construction because I learned a lot,” Sonia noted. “I really liked the CHUCK Center because I never would have guessed how walls are built. I thought it was so interesting and I look forward to continuing learning.”
She specifically praised Construction Manager Juan for his clear and caring instruction. “Juan is so clear in his teachings and he’s teaching us how to take care of ourselves, and he is a good teacher.”
What solidified her decision to apply again was seeing the quality of Habitat homes firsthand. “I decided to apply because I’ve seen the quality of the houses,” she said. “I’ve had the chance to see them and they’re beautiful and well-constructed.”
Beyond the tangible skills and the solid construction of her future home, Sonia is building something equally precious: a community. She has formed deep bonds with the other homebuyers in her cohort, a group that has warmly welcomed her despite an age difference.
“I’m so comfortable. Despite the fact that I am a little older than some of the families there, we’ve made a good group,” she said, laughing. “They treat me like I’m their age! We’ve made a great team together and friendships with them who are going to become not only friends but my neighbors.”
This budding sense of community is what she looks forward to most. “It’s so more familiar and we have already established a friendship in working with each other. I know the day we’re neighbors that they’ll help me and I’ll help them. Helping each other for many years to come, God willing.”
Looking ahead, Sonia’s hopes are simple and profound. She looks forward to a peaceful home in a safe neighborhood, a place where she can finally feel secure and where she can retire comfortably. Overall, when she retires, she wants to be comfortable. Her hopes are to live in a better area that is a safe neighborhood. For Sonia, security starts with a home—a home she is helping to build with her own hands, surrounded by a new family of friends, ready to welcome her to the neighborhood.
Like Sonia, your family can benefit from the Habitat for Humanity Tucson’s Homeownership Program. Learn more about how it works here.