In 2009 Habitat for Humanity Tucson celebrated another milestone: the dedication of our 300th house.  Rosa McFeaters and her daughter Marilyn, 9, remember that day well, the day their dream came true.

“Before we were thinking, ‘where are we going to go?’” Rosa said.  “Now, I don’t have to worry so much.  This house has changed our lives.”

Rosa remembers a time when things were not so stable for her family.  She thought that with her lack of credit, owning a home was out of reach. One day, she saw an article in the newspaper about Habitat for Humanity.  She clipped that article and held onto it, and dreamed.

Later, she attended an orientation, submitted an application and waited for the most important call she would ever receive.

Rosa knew from the start that owning a home is a big commitment. She understood her income and what she could pay.  She said, “I knew I needed a house; not clothes, not shoes, a house.  It’s not for me…it’s for my daughter.”

“For me my life has changed a lot,” she said after being in her Habitat home for almost two years now.  “We were living in shelters.  Now we have a house, my daughter has a room and everyone has more space.”

Rosa and Marilyn have three dogs that have plenty of space to run around and they have a garden where they’re growing watermelon and squash.

“I like to do whatever I can because I want to enjoy the house,” Rosa said.  “Marilyn is so happy.  We are happy, very, very happy.”

Even Marilyn knows the impact their home has had on their lives.

“I like my house because I have a lot of space to run in.  All my three dogs have a lot of space.  When my cousins come we like to play and run around the house and we couldn’t do that in the apartment before.  I have my own bedroom where I can do my homework and I thank everyone at Habitat very much.”

By Amanda Thomas