Christmas Comes Early for Three Habitat Families with Back-to-Back Home Dedications Today, Tomorrow and Monday in Oklahoma City

OKLAHOMA CITY – Three local families – the Manuela Y. family, the Tania A. family and the Roman K. family – will celebrate new, energy-efficient and affordable homes with back-to-back Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity (COHFH) home dedications today, tomorrow and Monday (Dec. 18, 19 and 22) in Cornerstone Creek in Oklahoma City.

The three dedications mark Habitat’s 1,147th, 1,148th and 1,149th homes built since 1990. COHFH Chair/CEO Ann Felton Gilliland said giving to Habitat is critical to addressing the affordable-housing crisis in Central Oklahoma.

“Research consistently shows that stable, affordable homeownership supports stronger educational outcomes for children, improves household health and creates greater financial resilience for families,” Felton Gilliland said. “Future homeowners who qualify partner with us and buy their new homes at cost and without a down payment. We now have over 45 families living in our newest development, Cornerstone Creek, but we need more funding to build the infrastructure for 210 additional homes. Giving to COHFH is easy, text GIFTOFHOME to 50155 to make a difference today.”

The Manuela Y. Family to Celebrate Habitat Homeownership with New Home Dedication at 2 p.m. Today,
Dec. 18, in OKC

Just in time for her 30th birthday on Christmas Eve, Central Oklahoma Habitat homeowner Manuela Y. and her family will celebrate the dedication of her new house at 2 p.m. today, Dec. 18, in Cornerstone Creek.

Originally from Cameroon in Central Africa, Manuela came to the United States in March 2021 after participating in the Diversity Immigrant Visa program. She soon gave birth to her son, Angel K, now 4. She has worked for the past three years as a certified medical assistant at The Grand, a healthcare facility in Bethany, Oklahoma.

In her Habitat New Home Construction application, Manuela stated that she has faced “a lot of daily challenges,” while remaining focused on her goal of becoming a homeowner. She describes homeownership as a “dream come true” for her family.

“One of the main targets in my life has always been to build my happiness in a family environment – there’s no family without a home,” Manuela stated. “It was just a dream until I heard from a friend about the Habitat program. I soon realized that this was an opportunity for me to build my dream through this program and own a home at an affordable cost.”

She said that becoming a Habitat homeowner helps her envision a new, brighter future for her family.

“As a new house owner, I think that will help me to have a better state of mind as I move forward in life,” she stated.

Close Mother-Daughter Duo to Celebrate New Home Dedication at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, in Cornerstone Creek

Tania A., a Floor and Décor interior designer, has spent several years helping customers design their home interiors. She will celebrate her own new Habitat home dedication at 2 p.m. tomorrow, Dec. 19, in Cornerstone Creek.

“I am seeking a Habitat home because I want to give my mother, Tercicia T., the safety, stability and love she has always given me,” Tanai wrote in her Habitat home application. “All my life, she has worked tirelessly as a single mother to protect me and to give me every opportunity she could. Now, it is my turn to take care of her, to honor her sacrifices and to give her a place where she can rest and find peace.”

Tania stated that she considers her new Habitat home to be a “foundation for a new chapter for us” – one filled with hope.

“My dream is to build a future where my mother feels safe and appreciated, and where I can look around our home and know that all the efforts and love she poured into my life are finally being returned to her. Being part of the Habitat program fills me with gratitude and helping others in the program inspires me even more.”

She also looks forward to learning how to cook some of her mother’s favorite dishes.

“She is the best cook I know,” she stated. “Memories in the kitchen are some of the happiest memories we share. This home will give us a space to continue creating more memories in a place that truly belongs to us.”

Shhh! Three Children to Receive Surprise Homeownership Reveal by Parents During Home Dedication at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, in Cornerstone Creek

More than nine years ago, Roman K. and her husband, Ayalew A., moved to the United States from Ethiopia to pursue a better future for their family. Roman has worked for nearly eight years as a head custodian at Edmond Public Schools, and her husband works as an Uber driver. Together, they are raising three children.

During Monday’s home dedication, Roman and Ayalew’s three children will be surprised when they learn the home is theirs — a moment they do not yet know is coming.

The children – Yohanes, 11; Maramawit, 8; and Michael, 5 – will celebrate their home dedication with their parents at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, in Cornerstone Creek. During Monday’s home dedication, the children will be surprised to learn the home is theirs — a moment they do not yet know is coming.

In her New Home Construction application, Roman stated that money is tight and her family has been living in an apartment in Oklahoma City.

“My children ask me every day, ‘When will we have a house?’ – they wish they could have their own rooms,” Roman said. “We have thought of buying a house before, but due to some difficulties in our lives, we weren’t able to, but glory to God, the time has come.

“We thank Habitat, as well, for giving us this opportunity.”