UPDATED with Telemundo Link: From Faith and Blue Build to Front Door: Cuban Immigrant Couple Celebrates Habitat Home Dedication

OKLAHOMA CITY — A Cuban immigrant couple celebrated the dedication of their new Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity home Thursday in Cornerstone Creek — a house framed in part by more than 50 Oklahoma City police officers during Faith & Blue Weekend last fall.

LisMary M. and her husband of more than seven years, Raudel J., a former university professor, moved to the United States more than three years ago seeking a brighter future. Although well-educated with promising jobs, the couple said becoming homeowners in Cuba was nearly impossible, so they left to start anew in America.

Their journey has led them to new careers and new friends in the United States, including more than 50 Oklahoma City Police Department officers who volunteered during Faith & Blue Weekend in October 2025 by helping frame their future Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity home in Cornerstone Creek.

LisMary and Raudel’s long trek to homeownership came full circle Thursday when the couple celebrated their home dedication with Habitat staff, a minister, community members and several Oklahoma City police officers at their new house in Habitat’s newest affordable housing development in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City Police Department Capt. Michelle Henderson, who leads the Faith & Blue Weekend efforts, spoke briefly during the celebration and shared that this is the sixth year OKCPD officers have helped frame Habitat homes.

“Cornerstone Creek is special to our officers because we love the idea of an affordable housing community where hardworking homeowners are invested and proud of their homes and community,” Henderson said. “COHFH neighborhoods pull on our heartstrings because we often see ourselves in the hardworking families who live there.”

The dedication was especially meaningful for LisMary, who recently completed nursing school and leaves soon for U.S. Army basic training to become a combat medic. Raudel, who works in the maintenance department at a healthcare-related laundry service, said he is also considering military service. After receiving various gifts and well wishes during the home dedication, the couple thanked attendees and Habitat for helping them to become homeowners.

“Even with education, we never imagined we could own our own home,” they shared in their Habitat New Home Construction program application. “For us, a home is a sanctuary: a space where you can breathe in peace, dream without fear and share what truly matters. Our greatest goal is to build a foundation from which we can continue our education, contribute to our community and reach goals that today are only possible thanks to programs like Habitat’s.”

Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity partners with qualifying individuals and families who help build their own and others’ homes and purchase them at cost and without a down payment. This was Habitat’s 1,158^th home built in Central Oklahoma since 1990.

To visit KFOR TV News coverage of the home dedication, visit: https://kfor.com/news/couple-receives-the-keys-to-their-new-habitat-for-humanity-home/