Pulling together to lift up families and neighborhoods

A Habitat house is transforming the lives of Sonia’s family.

They, in turn, are helping to transform their neighborhood. Sonia, her husband and three boys live in the Washington neighborhood in Long Beach, California. It is among 10 U.S. communities where residents are working with Habitat and other partners to pinpoint ways to improve the quality of life of residents.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation — along with General Motors, H&R Block, Lowe’s and Wells Fargo — are financially supporting the work. Affordable housing is a part of the path forward.

Sonia is grateful for the opportunity to purchase a Habitat home in the Washington neighborhood. “I stand in my kitchen, or sometimes in the backyard, and just say, ‘This is what I wanted for my kids.’” A place where her boys can be creative. A yard where they have been free to romp and laugh. “Here you can run, scream, play, jump — and the neighbors don’t complain,” Sonia says.

She also wants everyone’s children to be able to ride their bikes and walk to school and air out at the skateboard park in a neighborhood that is lovely and safe.

That’s where other community partners come in, including the local police, the parks and rec department and the middle school that sits in the heart of the neighborhood. “Right now, my neighborhood is nice,” Sonia says. “I know if everyone gets involved, it can be even more beautiful.”