A simple piece of paper—that’s all it took for the Del Grosso family to begin their journey to homeownership through San Gabriel Valley (SGV) Habitat for Humanity.

Several years ago, then nine-year-old Whyte returned home from Broadoaks Elementary School in Monrovia with a flyer in hand about an opportunity to apply for a home through San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity. When Whyte’s mother, Jeanine, saw the flyer, she figured she would give the application process a try. Her family of five was cramped in a small two-bedroom apartment in a neighborhood where they did not feel safe, living day-to-day with an increasingly uncertain future weighing heavily on her and her husband, Mario.

Mario felt the heaviest burden regarding his family’s future, “We were living paycheck to paycheck, making ends meet, but it was really hard to provide for my family’s future. I was never going to be able to save to get a house or take a family vacation. The money just went down the barrel [in rent]. It was very limiting and diminishing. I wanted to provide for my family, but I wondered how we were going to get that dream. I was worried.” So with nothing to lose, and everything to gain, Jeanine and Mario decided to explore the opportunity of homeownership with San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity. After an extensive review process—“that seemed like forever” —the Del Grosso family was jubilant when they learned they had been selected to be homeowners at the Sherman Build in Monrovia.

Jeanine reflected back on the day her family learned they would be moving into a new home in a matter of months, “We felt so blessed, like we did not deserve the home.” But they did deserve the home, and after months of hard work completing their 500 sweat equity hours on site and learning how to be responsible first-time homeowners, the Del Grossos moved into their brand new home with high expectations for the future.

It has been over a year and a half since Mario, Jeanine, Logan (15), Whyte (12) and Gwyneth (4) moved into their Habitat home on Sherman Avenue in Monrovia. They continue to count their blessings. “We have a home and it truly feels like home. We feel like we have a lot. It’s amazing that we were chosen out of all of the people who applied.” Jeanine continued, “It’s like we won the lottery—who could ask for anything else?”

(continued on back)

Dear Community Member,

November 2011

My year-end gift is enclosed: $ __________

I pledge: $__________ per month as a member of San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity’s Carpenter’s Club Hope Builders

Please help us go green by providing your e-mail address: _____________________________

Name: __________________________________________________Address: ________________________________________________City, State, zip: ___________________________________________

All donations are tax deductible. Please make your checks payable to SGV Habitat for Humanity.To donate online by credit card, go to www.sgvhabitat.org and click on the red heart.

Yes, I want to help build Hope, Homes and Stronger Communitieswith a gift to San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity today: ANNUAL APPEAL 2011

San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity400 S. Irwindale Ave.

Azusa, CA 91702

Transformed Communities

Not only were the Sherman Habitat Homes a blessing to the Del Grossos, but they proved to be a blessing for the neighborhood as a whole.

“Completion of the Habitat for Humanity build in 2010 gave four families the opportunity to be homeowners of these beautiful new homes in Monrovia. This not only enriched the neighborhood, but the addition of these families and homes proved to be a catalyst for change on Sherman Avenue,” Mayor Mary Ann Lutz said. “It demonstrated that we were willing to invest in this community, and that is a message on which we continue to build.”

Prior to construction of the Habitat for Humanity homes in 2010, Sherman Avenue was in turmoil. One property on the block, in particular, had elements of criminal activity and blight that had plagued the neighborhood since 2005. After several years of police calls for service from that house, the criminal activity escalated. Unfortunately, this came to a head in 2008: there was a homicide outside this particular home during daylight hours. The incident resulted in parents preventing their children from playing outside, in residents resorting to quietly retreating into their homes, and in Sherman Avenue community members being too fearful to speak to City staff or even their neighbors. Ultimately, they were hostages in their own homes.

Plans were already underway in 2009 for the construction of four Habitat for Humanity homes, but the City felt it needed to do more to secure the safety and well-being for the new—and existing—residents. The City decided to purchase the troubled property, and relocated the residents. The home, which had been a symbol of criminal activity and fear for the community, was demolished in April 2009. Its removal resulted in neighbors feeling safe again in their neighborhood, so by the time the Habitat for Humanity homes were completed in 2010, Sherman Avenue was on the rise.

“This neighborhood has been in a state of positive transformation since the completion of the Habitat for Humanity homes on Sherman Avenue,” Mayor Lutz said. “Since 2009, the City has worked diligently to improve the quality of life for all residents on this street. With the help of our neighborhood, city leaders, and Habitat for Humanity, the Sherman Avenue neighborhood is now vibrant and active.”

Never underestimate the power of a piece of paper. Your gift will help transform communities and build brighter futures.

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Don GoodmanBoard President