Friends and family gathered in Granger on Sunday, Jan. 31 for the dedication of the Yakima Valley affiliate’s latest Habitat For Humanity. Isidro Romero, his wife Sophia and their young son Eric received the keys to their new home at 305 S. Fifth Ave. during the ceremony.
More than 30 people took part in the dedication, including Steve Luten, executive director of Yakima Valley Partners Habitat for Humanity.
“The vision and heart of Habitat is every house is an act of God’s goodness and an expression of His love,” Luten said. “It is a picture that God is here with us...he is not only inside this house but he is a part of the siding, cement, caulk, and sheetrock. He is here Monday through Saturday just as much as he is here on Sunday.”
Kris Wilsey, who served as the home’s construction superintendent described the completion of the project as a good example of the community.
“Granger is a wonderful place to live,” Wilsey said. “It shows the huge heart of all those who came and worked from the framing, installing the windows and all the other work. It took many hands, many people and many things.”
Habitat’s Families coordinator Gloria Garza met Isidrio Romero two years ago when he first came to the Yakima affiliate office to a see about obtaining a home.
“He said he would do anything to find a home for his family,” Garza said about the initial meeting. Romero was initially interested in finding a home in Zillah, but Garza said there were no openings in the area. After a Habitat homeowner in Granger was unable to maintain a home, the first person to come to Garza’s mind was Romero.
“I immediately recalled the man who had been coming in every month, who was willing to volunteer and who wanted the home for his family,” Garza said.
After the Romero family received the keys to the home along with a Bible from Luten, Isidro was filled emotions and thanks for everyone involved in the process.
“I just want to thank everyone who helped,” he said. “Thanks to Habitat for my house and thanks to God. I promise to be responsible, to make my payments and to take good care of this home.”
Vicki Baker of the Grocery Outlet in Yakima presented the family with a pickup load of items for the home along with a $100 gift card. According to Baker, her family-owned business has presented every local Habitat family with gifts during the dedication. She said their offering is to “help lighten the load when setting up a new household.”
Pastor Trinidad Walle of Granger, who is also a Habitat homeowner, shared his family’s personal story on Habitat homeownership before providing a final blessing to the family and its new home.
The Granger home is one of 125 Yakima Valley Partners Habitat for Humanity in the Yakima Valley. Luten said they build 50 percent of their homes in the upper Valley and 50 percent of the homes in the lower Valley.
The mission of Habitat for Humanity is to work in partnership with God and people everywhere, from all walks of life to develop communities with people in need by building and renovating houses to provide decent homes.