Rudy and Jill Osuna moved into their Habitat home in 2005.  When you walk into their home, you’re welcomed with the warmth of their characters and the cool of their air conditioning.

Their home was started at Building Freedom Day on September 11, 2004.

“That was an incredible experience,” said Jill.  And Rudy agrees, he said he was “amazed at all the people that would show up to volunteer.  They did a good job,” he said as he surveyed his living room.

The Osunas spent 10 years in a crummy, one-bedroom apartment.  “I woke up with a migraine everyday from the mold,” Jill said. 

They found out about Habitat through a cousin; however their first application wasn’t approved due to medial bills and financial obligations. 

“It gave us a goal,” said Rudy and he and Jill set to the task of getting their bills and credit under control.  It wasn’t long before their second application was approved and by then the Osunas had already proven to themselves that they could accomplish their goals.

Since moving into their Habitat home, the Osunas have seen many positive changes in their lives.

Jill’s health greatly improved after leaving their poor apartment environment, and volunteering at the Habitat office gave her faith to start working again. 

“My old job was all negative,” she said. “The Habitat office was all positive, and that gave me new faith in humanity.” 

Today, Jill is an Accounts Receivable Specialist at Habitat for Humanity Tucson.  She and Rudy have stayed active with their homeowner association for their neighborhood of 36 Habitat homes and Jill has recently taken charge as manager, bringing in a little extra income for the family.

“This is the best thing that has ever happened to us,” Jill said about receiving their home.

Adapted from a story written by James Tschudy