Read their Story

GUS LEON
CCHFH Homeowner
"It's been a blessing for me and my family. That day, when I got the call, I was very excited. I wanted to start working the next day. I wanted to make sure that we got everything we needed to do done so that we wouldn't lose this opportunity. It was something very, very important. It's going to change our lives. And I wouldn't let that go by."
ZORAIDA VARGAS
CCHFH Homeowner
"It's a beautiful house. It's a blessing how God works to put people that you need close to you. And it's people that don't even know you, but they want to help you. To me, there are no words that can describe the feelings inside of me"
Since 1989, CCHFH affiliate has partnered with 26 local families, helping them transition from sub-standard housing living conditions to home ownership.
Hannah Fox, Special for Vineland Daily Journal

VINELAND - A long-awaited dream became a reality on Saturday morning as the Gonzalez family celebrated the groundbreaking at the site of their future Habitat For Humanity home.

 “We have been waiting for this moment,” said Rosa Gonzalez, who along with husband Carlos and daughters Genesis, 8, and Mia, 3, were the chosen recipients of Cumberland County Habitat For Humanity’s latest building project. 

The journey to becoming the chosen family for the latest building project first started with a flier that had been left on their front door.

“When I saw the flier, I told my husband ‘I think we should apply for it,” said Rosa Gonzalez. After applying, the Gonzalez family went through an extensive application process, one that even includes a home visit.

“Not only do they have to undergo the regular mortgage process, but they also have to go through the Habitat for Humanity process,” said William Gonzalez, executive director of Cumberland County Habitat for Humanity. As part of that process, every adult in the family has to commit to 250 hours of volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, a requirement called sweat equity. Most of those hours will go towards working on their future home. 

William Gonzalez, no relation to the family, said taking courses on financial management and home repairs in order to be self-sustaining also are requirements.
Once the application process was completed, the Gonzalez family waited to see if they would be chosen. They did not have to wait long. Less than two weeks after finishing the application process, the answer came.

“I was at my church when I got the call and I fell to my knees,” said Rosa Gonzalez. “I think God put a beautiful team together to help us. It is a blessing,” she said.

“Anytime we can do anything for the underprivileged is a good thing,” said Assemblyman R. Bruce Land, who attended the groundbreaking with Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczak. “They just need a start. We all need a start.” 

The plot of land where the Gonzalez home will be built was donated to the Cumberland County Habitat For Humanity by Wells Fargo Bank about a year ago. Prior to the groundbreaking, the land was blessed by the Rev. Tomas Acevedo of Vineland Spanish Assembly of God, where the Gonzalez family are members.
“Attending these events, it’s always something I’m proud to do,” said Vineland Mayor Anthony Fanucci. “This [home] means everything [to the Gonzalez family].”

The Gonzalez home is currently the only project Cumberland County Habitat for Humanity is working on, but William Gonzalez hopes future projects in Millville are not far behind. 
While the new home will be ready in about six months, the Gonzalez family said it would not mark the end of their involvement with Habitat for Humanity. They said they wanted to pay it forward by helping other families.

“When I give my heart to something, I give my all,” smiled Rosa Gonzalez. “I want to share this testimony with others.”


​​To donate and / or volunteer please call (856) 563-0292 ext 2 or visit www.cumberlandnjhabitat.org.