Habitat for Humanity Celebrates Its 1000th Colorado Home Dedication

Habitat for Humanity of Colorado today announced it will dedicate its 1000th home November 22 at the Hertz family home in Longmont, Colo.

As Christine Hertz receives the keys to her new home and begins her journey with Habitat, Juana Mendoza, a longtime Habitat homeowner, also has a milestone to celebrate. She has made her last mortgage payment and now owns her home. As Hertz prepares for her first mortgage payment, Mendoza will burn her mortgage in celebration of her last.

The honorable Andrew Romanoff, speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, will preside over the ceremony and celebration, and will be joined by fellow Habitat for Humanity homeowners and supporters from all over the state of Colorado.

“This is truly a historic milestone for Habitat,” said Stefka Fanchi, executive director for Habitat for Humanity of Colorado. “It has taken us 30 years to reach 1000 homes, but with the continued support of communities throughout the state, we hope to build our next 1000 homes within three years.”

“I’ve waited so long to see my home rise from the ground,” said Hertz. “It hasn’t sunk in yet that this home belongs to me and my son. I’m overwhelmed by the outpouring of community support, and the miracles that come true when communities come together to improve the lives of others — people like me, who they don’t even know.”

Hertz is reeling with joy at the prospect of spending her first Thanksgiving in a secure, comfortable and loving environment.

“I can actually cook a Thanksgiving meal, and invite friends to sit at my table for the first time ever, thanks to Habitat,” she said.

Mendoza is equally ecstatic. It has taken her 15 years of hard work and dedication to pay off the mortgage on her Habitat home.

“I couldn’t have done this without the continued support and love of Habitat,” she said. “In my home I have raised three children and watched them thrive. My oldest son graduated from CU and is now an accountant for the City of Longmont. He once told me that he owes everything to me. But he did it himself. I’m so proud of my family.”

Mendoza admits that her and her children’s lives may have turned out much differently if it were not for Habitat for Humanity. “I see so many people struggling, and I’ve struggled too. I’ve tried to spread the word about the good work Habitat does for working families. Some of those people are now Habitat homeowners, too.”

The Hertz family home dedication and presentation of keys, the Mendoza mortgage-burning ceremony and the 1000th Colorado home celebration is Saturday, Nov. 22 from 12 – 2 p.m. (MST). It will take place at the Hertz home, located at 1215 Della Ave., Longmont, Colo. For more information about this event and Habitat for Humanity of Colorado, visit www.habitatcolorado.org.