For Pablo and Lucero Cornejo, a vibrant and creative young family, the dream of homeownership is more than just space—it’s about building a foundation for unity, growth, and lasting memories. Parents to two energetic daughters, four-year-old Esther and one-year-old Elora, they are eagerly building their future with Habitat Tucson.
Pablo describes their family as fun, social, and creative. “We like to laugh. We like to spend a lot of time together,” he shared. Lucero, a talented singer, is currently a stay-at-home mom, a decision the couple made to provide the best care for their girls in their formative years. Pablo works in behavioral health, helping youth in the community build independent living skills. Together, they love hiking, exploring local coffee shops, and finding family-friendly activities around Tucson.
For the past decade, the couple have made a one-bedroom apartment their home. While they are grateful for the shelter, their growing family has outgrown the space.
“We try to make it work with what we have,” Pablo explained, noting the constant adjustments required. “We’re going to have the girls' toys over here. I’m going to get rid of my working desk. So we’ve had to make a lot of adjustments to fit our family size right now.”
The lack of a safe, private outdoor space has been particularly challenging. “We don’t have a backyard, so that’s been hard for the girls because they always want to be outside,” Lucero said. The family is ready for the next chapter. “We love where we live, but we’re ready for growth,” Pablo added. “I think that’s the big thing for us is for the girls to have their space.”
Their journey to Habitat for Humanity Tucson’s Homeownership Program began through their church community, where they saw another family successfully complete the program. After facing closed doors in the traditional housing market, their pastor encouraged them to apply. “We saw that they had completed that, you know, and they had their home,” Pablo recalled. “And so we’re like, OK, what if we have a chance?”
That chance has become a rewarding reality. The couple has fully embraced the sweat equity experience, finding value and purpose in the hard work. “It’s a house that we’re literally building,” Pablo said. “It makes it more meaningful for us.” Beyond learning practical skills, the process has been one of personal growth. “It’s truly helped us value the reward and what is coming,” Lucero shared. “It has grown us in a way of being humble.”
They’ve also found a strong sense of community, bonding with other homebuyers and dedicated volunteers on the Habitat Tucson construction site. “We’ve created connections… and it’s just been nice,” Pablo said.
Looking ahead, the family is most excited about creating a welcoming space for their loved ones. “Having a place where we can host people, where we can have Christmas, or we can have Thanksgiving at the house,” Pablo said with excitement. Lucero looks forward to finally setting up a trampoline they bought over a year ago, giving the girls a safe place to play in their own backyard.
When asked what starts with a home for their family, their answer was immediate and heartfelt: “Unity starts with a home.”
Pablo elaborated, “Because if you don’t have unity within the couple and within the family, it’s dysfunctional. Your home is your place of peace.”
Through partnership with Habitat Tucson, perseverance, and hard work, this family is building much more than a house—they are building a unified home where their children can grow, where memories can be made, and where peace can take root for years to come.
Like Pablo and Lucero, your family can benefit from the Habitat for Humanity Tucson’s Homeownership Program. Learn more about how it works here.