More Family Success Stories Contact: Homeowner Relations (650) 568-7322 housinginterest @peninsulahabitat.org Home Family Bios Five Long-time Habitat Homeowners Juan Ochoa works for the Redwood City Parks Department, is a Redwood City volunteer firefighter and is part of the Police Chief's volunteer community-building initiative intended to revitalize neighborhoods, promote safety, remove gangs and drugs, and improve basic services and infrastructure. Juan's wife, Rosa, works in dietary services at a senior center and is studying nutrition. Juan and Rosa are proud of their two children, April (8) and Victor (18). Victor attends Santa Clara University and is majoring in engineering. Maurice and Monique Williams' children have grown up in their Peninsula Habitat home for the last 13 years. The stability of a home created a foundation on which they could build a strong family and help their children succeed. Today, Maurice works as a computer technician while Monique does front entry screening for Stanford Children's Hospital. Together they are focused on getting their son and daughter through college. Monika (17), who also volunteered at the Peninsula Habitat office, is studying for the SAT and received a scholarship to attend Princeton Review classes. "To become a homeowner is the American dream," says Pablo Hernandez. Ten years ago before owning their first home, Pablo and Victoria Hernandez struggled to make ends meet. Now, they can afford a computer for their four children, a school-sponsored language exchange trip to France for their oldest daughter, short excursions and occasionally a restaurant dinner. The Hernandez family continues to be involved in their community. They belong to advisory committees, support numerous school activities, and volunteer at various events, so that their children will experience different cultures. Ryszard and Teresa Brusilo, originally from Poland, are grateful for their Peninsula Habitat house because it has changed their lives. Ryszard, currently on disability due to a work-related injury, describes his home as "happiness every day. There is room to study, think, read and focus on work. Thanks to Peninsula Habitat, I'm able to save for education and retirement, and my children have a chance at a good future. I am so grateful." After many years in small, crowded apartments, Javier and Guadalupe Baltazar now have a decent, affordable, safe place in which to raise their three sons- Oscar (19), Erick (16) and Braulio (12)-all of whom plan to attend college. In addition to working full time, Javier has also started a carpet cleaning business. "We dream of having something we can pass on to our children," says Javier. To read more about Habitat families, please click here.