(L-R): New Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity homeowners, LisMary M. and Raudel J., who moved from Cuba over three years ago, pose with Alba Santiago, a mortgage sales manager 2, with Gateway Mortgage, and Oklahoma City Police Department Capt. Michelle Henderson during a home dedication celebration at the couple’s new home in Cornerstone Creek, Oklahoma City.

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

Watch KFOR TV News coverage of the home dedication; click here.

Watch Telemundo Oklahoma coverage of the home dedication, click here.

New Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity homeowners, LisMary M. and Raudel J., who moved from Cuba over three years ago, pose with Alba Santiago, a mortgage sales manager 2, with Gateway Mortgage, and Oklahoma City Police Department Capt. Michelle Henderson during a home dedication celebration at the couple’s new home in Cornerstone Creek, Oklahoma City.

New Habitat homeowners, LisMary M. and Raudel J., who moved from Cuba over three years ago, during their new home dedication celebration on March 12, 2026, at the couple’s house in Cornerstone Creek.

A Cuban immigrant couple celebrated the dedication of their new Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity home on March 12, 2026, in Cornerstone Creek — a house framed in part by more than 50 Oklahoma City police officers during Faith & Blue Weekend last fall.
(L-R): New Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity homeowners, LisMary M. and Raudel J., who moved from Cuba over three years ago, pose with Alba Santiago, a mortgage sales manager 2, with Gateway Mortgage, and Oklahoma City Police Department Capt. Michelle Henderson during a home dedication celebration at the couple’s new home in Cornerstone Creek, Oklahoma City.

(L-R) New Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity homeowners, LisMary M. and Raudel J., who moved from Cuba over three years ago, pose with Alba Santiago, a mortgage sales manager 2 at Gateway Mortgage, and Oklahoma City Police Department Capt. Michelle Henderson during a home dedication celebration at the couple’s new home in Cornerstone Creek, Oklahoma City.

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.
Cuban immigrant couple, Raudel J. and LisMary M. help build their future Habitat home on Oct. 25, 2025.

Cuban immigrant couple, Raudel J. and LisMary M. help build their future Habitat home on Oct. 25, 2025.

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 to help frame the future Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity home they are building in Cornerstone Creek.
Raudel J. and LisMary M. have worked hard for over three years since moving to America from Cuba.

Raudel J. and LisMary M. have worked hard for over three years since moving to America from Cuba.

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.
Raudel J. and LisMary M. will celebrate their home dedication at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 12, in Cornerstone Creek.

Raudel J. and LisMary M.

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 1,158th home built in Central Oklahoma since 1990.