Finding a forever home in Toledo

HOME not fit for a family

After returning to Toledo from out-of-state, Joe and Beth found themselves surrounded by walls and windows that at first glance appeared fine. The Riviera Mia apartment was space enough for the growing family of four, soon to be five, and one they could afford.

The Sanchez family.

Habitat for Humanity workers build a home.

Then, one night while getting ready to make her son’s bed, Beth noticed something out of the ordinary. “I was putting the sheets on and I noticed mold all along their bed. We called the manager the next day. All she did was come out and spray and clean it.”

In the weeks that followed, the maintenance department at the apartment complex discovered the mold was growing heavily behind the walls around their apartment.
Despite moving to a new apartment, mold remained along the walls and in the closets. That's when the couple decided they needed to find a new place to call home. 

“I was pregnant with Mathew at the time. I was 20 weeks pregnant. I can’t live here with a son that has asthma. They finally let us out of our lease.”

Even if they hadn’t been allowed to break their lease, like so many other families, they would have eventually had to move after the entire apartment complex was condemned.

Imagine being one of these families and one day coming home to find your family’s home, the place where your children rest their heads at night, has been condemned for mold infestation!? Being told that the conditions your family was living in for years was unhealthy and unsafe. And now, on a very tight budget, you have only a few short days to find a place to live!  

Habitat for Humanity workers.

A new home built by Habitat for Humanity.

HOPE was on the horizon

The Sanchez family never wanted to find themselves in that situation again, but owning their own home through traditional financing was not an option for them. That is when they came to Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity and their future became brighter. Together Beth and Joe took a big step forward by making a single call to our family services manager, Emily Buller. 

“When they came in for the application meeting, they were very excited they made it through the initial steps of the process. One month later the Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity Board of Trustees approved their application.”

Once accepted into the homeownership program, Joe and Beth completed 250 sweat equity hours each and started the 12 month homeowner’s education process. Thus, starting their journey to a brighter future for their family.

In the fall of 2016, the Sanchezes were handed the keys to their first home. Today the home they helped build is full of laughter, good night stories, birthday parties, and lots and lots of memories.

The Sanchezes worked hard to become homeowners, but it wouldn’t have been possible without all the support from our community and both the financial and volunteer support from Owens Corning, the builds partnering sponsor.

The chance of a better life and future is only made possible by people like you who want to make a difference by volunteering or making a donation. Give a gift to support Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program visit mvhabitat.org today or call 419-382-1964.