Many hands provide a home in Sisters

Many hands go into the building of a Sisters Habitat for Humanity home, and when that home is dedicated those supporters show up to celebrate. It was no exception last week when Sisters Habitat for Humanity dedicated the home with the Islas family.

Nancy and Roberto Islas are well-known in the community, and the attendance at the dedication was a confirmation of that fact. The couple has lived in Sisters for 15 years, and they are the 67th family to purchase a home through Sisters Habitat for Humanity homeownership program. Roberto works at Hoyt’s Hardware and Nancy is a stay-at-home mom with her three boys.

“I loved seeing all the people in the community that came to support us and love us. I thank the volunteers, friends and co-workers. I moved here 17 years ago to work and support my mother and brother. This is the first home that will be truly mine. I will own it. Our boys will have a yard to play in. I’m so excited for our garden,” Roberto said after the ceremony.

When a family is selected into the homeownership program, they are teamed with family partners. Paula Reents and Bill and Wendy Birnbaum have helped the Islas family through the journey to homeownership.

“Roberto would landscape and make improvements wherever they lived even though they were rentals. Now those improvements will be on his own home – congratulations,” Bill Birnbaum told the crowd.

It can take two years from the time a family is accepted into the Habitat program until they move into their house. The future homeowners attend classes and earn sweat equity hours by working at the Thrift Store, ReStore and working on their house. Nancy spent time painting her home during Women Build Week and Roberto would often be at the house at the end of his work day working on various projects.

Sisters Habitat for Humanity is an option for qualified families to achieve strength, stability and the independence they need to build a better life for themselves and their families.

Those interested in homeownership or the Sisters Habitat home repair program can visit http://www.sistershabitat.org and review the qualification guidelines, or call the Habitat office at 541-549-1193.