Family Chooses the Right Path — and Finds New Home with Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity and Moves in Today!

Before learning about Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity (COHFH), Juan F.L. and his wife, Ma De Jesús G.D., were nearly persuaded by a real estate representative to make what Juan describes as a “risky investment.”

The man encouraged Juan to inflate his income on paper to qualify for a mortgage. Instead, Juan and his family turned to prayer for guidance. Their tax preparer soon told them about Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity’s New Home Construction program—built on faith and hard work—and they say their prayers have been answered after partnering with Habitat.

Juan, Ma De Jesús, and their sons, Daniel, 20, and Jorge, 11, celebrated their new home dedication at 2 p.m. today with blessings from Deacon John Teague of St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church in Yukon, along with friends, family, community members, and COHFH staff at their beautiful new brick home in Cornerstone Creek in Oklahoma City. COHFH Board of Directors Member Hunter Merritt emceed the dedication and presented the keys to Juan and his family. Later, Telemundo Oklahoma Reporter Salomon Moran arrived to interview the family and Merritt about their Habitat experience and the Cornerstone Creek community.

In his New Home Construction application, Juan shared that buying a home would have been nearly impossible without Habitat’s support.

“We are a Latino Catholic family who attend Little Flower Catholic Church, and we truly see this experience as a blessing from God,” Juan said. “We prayed and sought guidance, and the right people came into our lives at the right time—leading us to Habitat. We believe this is no coincidence, but part of a greater plan.”

The F.L. family moved from Mexico to the United States about four years ago. Since then, Juan has worked as a tree trimmer, Ma De Jesús is a homemaker, and their oldest child, Ivette, 24, has graduated from college and now works in accounting in Chicago. Daniel attends Oklahoma City Community College and works as a restaurant server, while Jorge Pedro attends Belle Isle Enterprise Middle School.

Juan said applying for COHFH’s New Home Construction program was straightforward, and the family is thrilled to begin this new chapter.

“We have always worked hard in pursuit of a better future, and finding Habitat was a huge turning point for us,” he said. “It gave us hope and reminded us that we are not alone in this journey.”

The F.L. family’s house is the 1,142nd home built by Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity since 1990.

COHFH Chair/CEO Ann Felton Gilliland said the New Home Construction program allows qualified homeowners to buy their homes at cost and without a down payment while contributing 100 volunteer hours to help build their own and others’ homes.

“Homeownership provides a supportive community and increased stability, strengthens security, and improves educational outcomes and opportunities for homeowners’ children,” Felton Gilliland said. “We now have about 35 families living in Cornerstone Creek, our newest and largest affordable housing development. We’re also working on Phase II of our construction plan, which includes infrastructure for 210 additional homes.”

She encouraged the community to help make that vision possible.

“Your investment today will help us expand the promise of Cornerstone Creek to help hundreds more limited- to moderate-income families become first-time homeowners,” Felton Gilliland said. “No amount is too small—every bit helps.”

To learn more or get involved:
Visit: www.cohfh.org
Volunteer: www.helpmyhabitat.com
Donate: www.cohfh.org/make-a-donation
Text: MAKEHOMEHAPPEN to 50155 to give now.