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| Building a Better Albuquerque |
June 09, 2004 |
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 Albuquerque women recently swung their hammers and drilled their bits to build a home for an Albuquerque woman and her two sons. Through Habitat for Humanity International’s Women Build Program, crews consisting mostly of women have built more than 350 houses since 1991.
Heather worked side by side with other women to build a home for Rosa Rodriquez and her two teenage sons. Rosa is very happy about the opportunity to be a homeowner. The family has lived in a rented trailer for the past 14 years.
She said, as she began to cry, "It is a gift from God, that finally there is light in our lives, and I am so happy that my boys no longer have to be embarrassed at where and how they live."
"...it is a gift from God, that finally there is light in our lives..."--Soon-to-be-homeowner Rosa Rodriquez
 This is the 110th home built here in Albuquerque by The Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity (GAHH) since its founding in 1988. When her new home is completed in September, Rosa will be able to move her family out of their current substandard, unsafe housing and have the healthy home they deserve.
BUILDING THE AMERICAN DREAM
Heather has said that homeownership is "the American dream" and that it brings "lifelong security to a family."
GAHH is in the middle of a busy season, on schedule to complete 12 homes this year, with four currently in progress and another to be started the week of June 13, 2004. GAHH seeks to eliminate inadequate housing in our community by working in partnership with families in need and community churches, businesses, organizations and individuals to build simple, decent, affordable housing g to mobilize the resources to make decent housing for all people a reality. GAHH partners with qualified low-income families willing to perform 500 hours of sweat equity on the construction of their own homes and those of others.
THEY NEED YOUR HELP
The house being built for Rosa and her family will require many hours to finish. This and other projects in the area would never be a reality without the help of volunteers.  Any skill level is welcome, training is provided, and you will not be asked to do anything that you do not feel comfortable doing. You can get involved by contacting Phil Tubbiolo, Programs Manager, at 265-0057 or visit the GAHH website.
By Scott Griffin
Scott Griffin is studying Computer Science at the University of New Mexico. He is working as an intern during the summer semester in Congresswoman Heather Wilson’s Albuquerque office. He hopes to attend to law school after his undergraduate studies are finished.
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