Visit Cornerstone Creek
MEDIA RELEASE: Two Construction Workers and Their Families Buy and Help Build Their Own Homes in Cornerstone Creek
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New homeowner Isaias R. holds 11-month-old Mathias as he and his wife, Larisa G., display the keys to their new Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity home Thursday, Sept. 17. The affordable housing nonprofit held a dual new home dedication celebration in Cornerstone Creek for the two homeowner families.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Hard hats, house keys and new neighbors came together Thursday, Sept. 17, during Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity’s (COHFH) dual new-home dedication in Cornerstone Creek.
The new homeowners are Yaimeris F. and Leorge H., and Isaias R. and Larisa G., who have an 11-month-old son, Mathias. Both men work in construction, and the families’ houses are across the street from each other in Cornerstone Creek in northwest Oklahoma City.
Isaias R. works in construction for Crossland Construction. He and Larisa G. are the parents of 11-month-old Mathias. Larisa wrote in the family’s New Home Construction program materials that her parents once hoped to purchase a Habitat home, but that hope never became a reality.
CUTLINE: Mathias smiles while his father holds him during a dual new home dedication for two local families in Cornerstone Creek.
As they prepared for Mathias’ birth, Larisa and Isaias began thinking more about the stability they wanted to provide for their family. They applied for Habitat’s homeownership program, partnered with COHFH and completed the requirements to purchase their home at cost with no down payment.
“Today, making that dream come true means so much to me because I feel like I’m accomplishing a dream that began with my parents,” Larisa stated.
She said her parents are proud to see her family have this opportunity. A home of their own will offer the family peace of mind and a place to make lasting memories.
“Homeownership will give us the foundation to achieve those goals,” Larisa said.
CUTLINE: Yaimeris F. and Leorge H. hold up the keys to their new Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity home. Deacon Jon Teague of St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church in Yukon blessed both families’ new homes Thursday, Sept. 17, during Habitat’s dual new home dedication celebration in Cornerstone Creek.
The second family celebrating is originally from Cuba and will live directly across the street on Foundation Way. Yaimeris F. and her partner, Leorge H., moved to the United States about four years ago. Leorge works as an ironworker for Titan Construction.
“Like many families, we started from scratch, with the hope of getting ahead through our effort and dedication,” Yaimeris wrote in her biography, translated from Spanish.
“This house means much more than a place to live; it represents hope, stability and a new beginning for our family,” Yaimeris said.
The houses are the 1,178th and 1,179th homes COHFH has built since 1990. COHFH Chair/CEO Ann Felton Gilliland said construction continues at the nonprofit’s newest and largest affordable housing development. Framing of the first Phase II home is scheduled to begin near the end of September, pending the construction schedule.
“These families helped build their own homes and those of other Habitat families,” Felton Gilliland said. “As we prepare to begin framing homes in Phase II, donor support will help us continue building toward our Cornerstone Creek vision of 450 affordable homes, three parks and a gazebo. Every little bit helps as we work to ensure everyone has a decent place to live in Central Oklahoma.”
To donate, text MAKEHOMEHAPPEN to 50155. For more information, call 405-232-4828 or visit www.cohfh.org.
