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THE BRICK AND MORTAR JUNE 2016

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Front Page: Habitat Homeowner Lesley and her daughter Hannah

In 2011, Lesley moved into her Houston Habitat home. Since then, her four kids have

had stability and a warm place to call home. “I just really wanted a stable foundation.

Thank you, God. Nobody but God.”

Lesley said that Habitat has taught her about personal financial management for her

long-term success. “I’ve learned how to be a better steward.” Her next big project is

building a handicapped bathroom for Hannah.

Lesley has a heartfelt sense of knowing the real priorities in life, after enduring the worst

thing that could ever happen to a parent. “The big things I want for my family are long

life and health, happiness, peace-of-mind, love for yourself and love for others.”

Cover Story:

SOURCE OF STRENGTH

“Oh my God, my heart, my mind... My whole body went to

totally different place.” Lesley has overcome incredible

odds – homelessness, job instability. But the very worst

was when her little girl Hannah was struck by cancer.

“My daughter had a seizure. She was then diagnosed with

Stage 3 brain cancer.” Her daughter is now a courageous

5-year cancer survivor. “There were times when Habitat

helped me. I was really lost, and I didn’t know what to do.”

For more information about how you can

become a Habitat Homeowner, go to:

http://houstonhabitat.org/homeowners/

Homeowner Lesley on her recent visit

to the Houston Habitat main office

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Houston Habitat for Humanity has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for the fourth

consecutive year. This is Charity Navigator’s highest possible rating and indicates that Houston

Habitat adheres to sector best practices and executes its mission in a financially efficient way.

Attaining a 4-star rating verifies that Houston Habitat for Humanity exceeds industry standards and

outperforms most charities in our area of work. Only 9% of the charities evaluated have received at

least 4-star evaluations for 4 consecutive years, indicating that Houston Habitat for Humanity

outperforms most other charities in America. This exceptional designation from Charity Navigator sets

Houston Habitat for Humanity apart from its peers and demonstrates to the public its trustworthiness.

Houston Habitat is honored to have achieved this distinction, and works hard everyday to ensure we

administer the best practices for our Habitat Homeowners!

COMING THIS FALL!

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"The best things in life are the people we

love--and the home that shelters them." A

shout-out to everyone who made Houston

Habitat for Humanity’s 1000th Home

Dedication possible! A special

Congratulations to Jose and Isabel Loredo-

Morales who put in the hard work, muscle

and hours to make their dream happen.

The Morales family and Houston Habitat for

Humanity celebrated this milestone with a

rare Dedication at the Morales’ new home

on Friday, May 20th in Houston’s Harrel

Park. A big thanks goes to the Chevron

build team for working right alongside the

Morales family. Chevron’s Joni Baird and

Hakim Johnson helped honor them on their

Dedication day.

After Jose first walked through his home, he felt overwhelmed with a sense of satisfaction and

accomplishment. “it’s just amazing. The home is perfect for us.”

CELEBRATING HOUSTON HABITAT’S 1000TH HOME DEDICATION:

CONGRATS, JOSE AND ISABEL!

"Right now, I just want to enjoy our home," said Jose. Jose and Isabel had been living in a small,

cramped apartment with their daughter and granddaughter. The time was right to get a home, and

Jose had learned about the opportunity through Habitat. Jose said it was a "great experience“

including the 300 sweat equity hours! "It felt like a family working together towards our goal.“

3750 N. McCarty St. Houston, TX 77029

Houston Habitat for Humanity, with community minded sponsors and volunteers, has built over 1,000 homes for hard-working, low-income Houstonians. Our Partner Families contribute 300 hours of “sweat equity” including financial and home ownership training including helping to build their own homes. They purchase their homes with zero-interest mortgages. Houston Habitat has also helped countless other families preserve their homes by providing critical home repairs. For more information about Houston Habitat for Humanity and the Houston Habitat ReStore – a nonprofit home improvement store and donation center open to the public, go to www.houstonhabitat.org, or call 713-671-9993. Houston Habitat for Humanity is a tax-exempt 501(C) (3) nonprofit organization. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

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Makes a difference

every

one

every

hand

every

gift

Habitat homeowners

build their own homes

alongside volunteers.

Donate today

Go Tuang has endured many obstacles in

life, but he never gives up. He survived the

political strife in his home, Myanmar, and

finally achieved American citizenship after

years of refugee status. When he arrived in

the U.S., he immediately began his mission

of getting a job and trying to bring his wife to

America.

Go finally secured his wife’s safe passage

from a Thailand refugee camp to

America. He also found a good job with

Catholic Charities, but the first steps in

America weren’t easy. “During this

application process, I went through a lot of

hard times.”

After working for over 2 years, Go finally

realized his dream of a Habitat home. “For a

good life, we need a home. Thank you.”

Congrats, Go! Your resilience and

determination inspires!

FROM REFUGEE TO HOMEOWNER