“[I am] so happy to be part of the program. I've also learned so much. I'm doing it with my 17-year-old daughter Lexi. She loves it and she encourages me on the days when I’m too tired.”
Yashira Vazquez dreams of a home for her three children, Lexi, Manuel, and Javier—a place where they can not only have their own space but also celebrate milestones and create lasting memories. Originally from Puerto Rico, she moved to Tucson, AZ, with her parents when she was just two years old. Yashira describes her family as outgoing and loving, always getting along with those around them. However, they currently find themselves in a cramped two-bedroom apartment, which makes it challenging to enjoy their vibrant family life. Her energetic toddler, Javier, who is just two years old, often receives complaints from neighbors. For a lively toddler, quiet hours can be hard to understand!
There is an issue of safety for her young family in her current home. The maintenance crew walked in unannounced and at times walked into her apartment without notice. She was previously married for over a decade and her partner did not want to purchase a house. Yashira knew she didn’t want to spend the rest of her life paying rent to someone else. She wanted to pay her own mortgage, something she is “going to own, that our kids can have. If something happens to us, it means stability and protection.”
Yashira works full time at a local warehouse on the eastside and yearned for a place where she can host birthday celebrations in peace with her family. After a friend shared their success story in the program with her, Yashira hesitated to sign up and missed a few required classes. Looking back, she feels like she wasted time and should have applied right away. Now that she’s been accepted, Yashira is, “so happy to be part of the program. I’ve also learned so much. I’m doing it with my 17-year-old daughter Lexi. She loves it and she encourages me on the days when I’m too tired.”
Working alongside her daughter during her sweat equity hours has been a joy for Yashira, and she truly appreciates the time they spend together. Her excitement to go to work, whether at the build sites or at the CHUCK Center, is invigorating. They’ve “met awesome people. The people there—the contractors, the workers, the volunteers—honestly, it fills my heart knowing that people really go out there and volunteer. I’m so happy we’re in [the program].”
Looking ahead to planning a trip to visit her family in Puerto Rico, she shared her future plans to build a bench for their front yard with the knowledge they’ve learned in the program. She excitedly tells us that she’s, “going to keep volunteering even after I get my house. It feels good and honestly, really feels good to volunteer and know that you’re helping other people.”
Yashira has become an ambassador of our program and has told countless friends about her experiences and encourages them to apply as well. The best part of her whole experience is building her home alongside her daughter. She’s even talked to our construction crew for pointers on building a barbeque grill in her backyard! She’ll continue to dream of ideas for making her future house a home.