More Family Success Stories Contact: Homeowner Relations (650) 568-7322 housinginterest @peninsulahabitat.org Home Family Success Stories The Burton Family Taking a Leap of Faith Pays Off After 18 months of crowding four people into a one bedroom apartment in South San Francisco, Julia Burton is about ready for a change of scenery. With dedication, hard work and sacrifice to back it up, the Burton family is ready for bigger and better opportunities. While watching a commercial for Peninsula Habitat for Humanity homes on a local TV channel, Julia had no idea what she was getting herself into when she called for more information. "Like most people, I thought it was a joke. I never thought something like this could happen to me," Julia said. But, she took a leap of faith and today is one of four new Peninsula Habitat homeowners in South San Francisco. "My family and I got tired of moving," she said, "We always wanted a place to settle down." The family was strong, but easily grew tired of a lack of space and unaffordable housing costs. Regardless, they kept going. Julia continued her career at the Courtyard Marriott as an Office Manager and the kids, Dyanntha, 17, Juju, 15, and Phillip, 12, kept busy with school and extracurricular activities. The family has been through it all, especially recently when Julia's best friend - and Courtyard Marriott General Manager - passed away just as Julia started the Peninsula Habitat program. "My best friend … a person who made it possible for me to balance work and my sweat equity was gone," she said. Thankfully, with more than 15 years at her job, the rest of the team understood and were supportive. "Without them, it may not have worked out." As her sweat equity hours grew, so did her other responsibilities. "I was worried about it at first, but towards the end, I was sad I was finishing my hours." This experience, however difficult at times to balance work, family and other responsibilities, will be worth it. "Our lives will be stable because we don't have to worry that our rent increases or being told we have to move." Now, with the move-in date rapidly approaching, Julia can look forward to all of the new opportunities her Habitat home will provide. Between a stable housing situation and a home to entertain guests and family, Julia can still see a greater benefit from this opportunity. "Owning this home will help my children complete school and further their education." Peninsula Habitat's homeownership program was a great experience for Julia. Between the homeowner training classes, all the hard work on the construction site to complete her 500 hours of sweat equity and sharing meals with the other families - now her new neighbors - this story ends with more than just a house being sold to a deserving family. "I feel so grateful that I met such beautiful people from all kinds of backgrounds. I have so much pride to say that I actually helped build these homes."