Habitat and Volunteers Recognized for Helping Local Family Build a New Life in OKC

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OKLAHOMA CITY – Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity New Homeowner Jeffer Pinzon got choked up when thanking Habitat’s staff and donors, community members and all the volunteers who helped build his home on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 3, 2024, during the home dedication celebration at his new house in Cornerstone Creek in far northwest Oklahoma City.

“Thank you to the Habitat for Humanity family that made this dream (come) true and gave me the opportunity to be part of this program,” Pinzon said before naming leadership, staff members and construction crew members who assisted in his journey to homeownership.

Pinzon also thanked his daughter, Juliette, age 12, and his parents, who attended the celebration. He later said he was impressed with Habitat’s generous volunteers.

“The volunteer part is very interesting,” Pinzon said after the event. “It touched my heart because this is the result (pointing toward the outside of his home) of people sweating and working with no benefit because they’re volunteering. That makes it special … you knowing that there are other people who helped you build your home. I also helped other guys (on) other guys’ houses and that is very special.

“If we as a nation had an idea how helpful eight hours of volunteering is (and) how much benefit to others, things would be different because there would be thousands of hours of work we could do for the good of the whole community.”

Originally from Colombia in South America, Pinzon moved to the U.S. about eight years ago. In his Habitat application, he wrote that he wanted new opportunities for himself and his family.

“My daughter is the most important person in my life,” Pinzon stated. “I had to restart my life and career path, so I enrolled in college at Oklahoma City Community College, and last year, I obtained an associate’s degree in cyber security.”

Today, he works for Hobby Lobby as an IT project coordinator. Pinzon hopes to become an IT project manager someday. Although he’s accomplished much since coming to America, Pinzon noted that he initially reached out to Habitat because his apartment was too small. He wanted a good home for his daughter.

“I needed a better place to live with my daughter with more stable and secure conditions for her,” Pinzon stated.

In January, he applied to become a Habitat homeowner. He completed all the New Home Construction program requirements, including attending homebuyer classes and volunteering 100 hours of sweat equity to help build his and others’ homes. With Habitat’s help, Pinzon was able to purchase his new safe, secure, and energy-efficient home for cost and without a down payment.

“Coming to the U.S. has been challenging but also a blessing for us,” he stated. “I’m very thankful for the opportunities provided by Habitat, and I want to thank Ann Felton, Rebecca Kendall and Lily Dwyer, plus Habitat’s construction crew guys in the field. It is also amazing how new homeowners volunteer to help build their and others’ homes.”

Habitat’s Cornerstone Creek development will eventually feature 450 affordable homes, three parks with walking trails, workout stations, and a gazebo. Piedmont, Oklahoma’s excellent schools are also available for area schoolchildren.

For more information, call 405-232-4828 or go to cohfh.org.

About Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity

COHFH’s New Home Construction program helps new homeowners buy safe, secure and energy-efficient homes for cost and without a downpayment. COHFH’s Critical Home Repair program repairs and weatherizes the houses of homeowners in need. Habitat’s two ReStores sell “gently used” donated items at bargain prices and the proceeds help fund the Critical Home Repair program. To date, Habitat has built over 1,104 homes in the greater Oklahoma City area and is one of Habitat for Humanity International’s top 10 affiliates. Applicants who wish to apply with the New Home Construction program must meet specific qualifications to be considered for the partnership program, including having a credit score of more than 600, and they must be able to get and make regular payments on an affordable mortgage. Applicants must also match the 2024 HUD annual income by family size guidelines for consideration. Let’s see if you’re ready for homeownership at Cornerstone Creek: Take this one-minute survey to see if you qualify: www.cornerstonecreek.org/cc-one-minute-survey.