By Sheldon Spackman

Habitat for Humanity celebrates latest Red Deer build

Oct 25, 2018 | 3:57 PM

Two local families have received the keys to their new homes, and their new lives, thanks to Habitat for Humanity Red Deer.

Jonathon and Archana Brown, along with their two children Trinity and Nathan, joined Jessica Rodriguez and her son August in celebrating several months of sweat equity which has led to their brand new townhomes in Aspen Ridge. It’s a duplex on Adamson Avenue with each two-story townhome boasting three bedrooms and a basement.

Karen Vavrek, CEO for Habitat for Humanity Red Deer says handing over the keys to a new Habitat family is the best part of what they do.

“Both the Browns and Rodriguez’s have worked very hard to do their 500 hours of sweat equity each and we’re just so happy for them,” beams Vavrek. “This is our 23rd and 24th home build here in the city and each time people step up to the plate, whether it’s individual volunteers, whether it’s the business community, people coming forward with their gifts of time or cash or building materials, they always come through for families. These people are supporting the families and that’s what makes this so special.”

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Vavrek notes the Aspen Ridge build has also been one of their quickest and most successful ever.

“I think that has a lot to do with the leadership of our construction manager (Kurt Von Hollen),” states Vavrek. “But also with all of the volunteers and planning that’s gone in to doing this build and all the tradespeople that have helped out and were here when we needed them to be. People are just so willing to come forward and help, so we were excited to be done within eight months.”

New Habitat for Humanity homeowner Jessica Rodriguez says there are no words to describe how excited she and her son are to be moving into their new home.

“We have been struggling, looking for where to live, a safe place for my son but never found one until today,” says Rodriguez. “This is a great experience for the people who don’t have the resources, all the people who help you, the volunteering, you have to volunteer so it’s great, it’s overwhelming. I would encourage people to volunteer, you meet a lot of nice people.”

Fellow new Habitat homeowner and neighbor Jonathon Brown says he and his family are ecstatic.

“This is amazing, we now have a platform to stand on, to grow and get ahead now,” he exclaims. “It’s everything that we’ve wanted, everything that we’ve needed to really benefit our family and that’s what I see this as being.”

Brown says the new digs will also provide his family with a lot more room than what they had before, like the kids now having their own rooms.

“Even trying to tuck the kids in, I would have to side-shimmy in between their beds, now that’s not a thing,” adds Brown. “There was a little bit of crazy around our area. The biggest thing that my kids say when we ask if they’re excited to move is, ‘Oh, we won’t have to hear fighting anymore’, so if nothing else, that would be enough for me.”