UPPC- Moreno Ruiz Family

Build Dates: April 10th & 11th

Family Information:

Mother- Manuela

• Age: 35
• Profession: Housekeeper
• Weekly Salary: $47 appx.

Children-

• Perla, 12 yrs, 5th Grade (girl)
• Diego, 11 yrs, 4th Grade (boy)
• Teresa de Jesus, Manuela's older sister with disabilities who lives with them

Property Information:

Colonia- San Francisco
Time with property- 6 months
Electricity- Yes
Running Water- No

Family Story:

Manuela is originally from Chiapas. She graduated from junior high and came to Ensenada where she intended to finish her studies, but was unable to and dropped out before 18 to work in a factory. She met the father of her children while working there and they were married. A year later they had their first child, and a year after, they had their second. They were together for another year after Diego was born and were divorced. The father had no desire to hold down a job and provide for his family. Manuela left with her two children and they found a place to rent. After three years there they moved because someone else let them live in their house for 2 years. During this time she was offered a piece of land on credit and she accepted and got the land. They have been living on their land now for 6 months. Manuela works cleaning houses earning approximately $47 a week. They live in a small house that a man helped them to build. Manuela has an older sister, Teresa, who is disabled that lives with them. Teresa was born deaf and mute. She also has a problem with her neck. When Teresa was a baby, she crawled backwards. When this happened, their parents took Teresa to different doctors, but nobody could tell them what was wrong. Manuela allows her children to spend the weekends with their father and they receive$15 from him every 15 days so the children have an allowance to buy whatever they need.

Mercy Road- Caloca Inda Family

Build Dates: March 3rd & 4th

Family Information:

Mother- Rocio

• Age: 28
• Profession: Housekeeper
• Weekly Salary: $30

Children-

• Hector Daniel, 12 yrs
• Lesli, 9 yrs
• Jonathan, 5 yrs

Property Information:

Colonia- 89
Time with property- 10 years 

Family Story:

Rocio was 16 years old when she began her relationship with Hector, her ex who was 5 years older than her. She was so young that she had to change her paperwork in order to get a job at a factory. They lived in a rented house until they got pregnant and went to live with Rocio's mother. While she was pregnant, they got a piece of land on credit and 3 months later they built a small house and moved to their land. They had their son Hector, but at the age of 2, he wasn't well and Rocio had to quit work to care for him. They took him to a hospital TJ and he was diagnosed with Hepatitis. During this time Hector, the father, was drinking a lot and started to abuse Rocio physically, making things even more difficult for Rocio. The child began treatments for the hepatitis and got better and Rocio was able to look for work again. When Rocio gto pregnant with their third child, her husband Hector was so angry that he would hit her regularly. Rocio's mother didn't believe that this was happening to her. Hector eventually left Rocio alone with the children and Rocio didn't want anything more to do with him. Rocio has continued to invest in her property, but the house that they live in is in very bad conditions. It leaks and is full of humidity. Rocio works cleaning houses and earns approximately $30 a week. At one point, Rocio was struggling so much that she had no way to provide for her children or foodshe had to send them to a children's home so they could be fed. Rocio is also not doing well healthwise and needs to get some lab studies done that the public health doesn't cover.

Simi Valley Church- Toribio Cruz Family

Build Dates:April 1st-3rd

Family Information:

Father- Santiago

• Age: 43
• Profession: Field Worker
• Weekly Salary: $56 approximately

Mother- Severina

• Age: 33
• Profession: Field Worker
• Weekly Salary: $56 approximately

Children-

• Cecilia, 15 yrs (girl)
• Nieve, 14 yrs (girl)
• Ernesto, 12 yrs, 5th Grade (boy)
• Araceli, 7 yrs, 2nd Grade (girl)
• Veronica, 5 yrs (girl)
• Irene, 4 yrs (girl)

Property Information:

Colonia- Maneadero
Time with property- 3 yrs
Electricity- No
Running Water- Yes

Family Story:

Santiago and Severina met in Oaxaca and have been married for 15 years. They started their life together in Oaxaca, where they had 3 children. Santiago worked in the fields there, but the economy in the South is very bad and they decided to move north and they came to Ensenada 10 years ago. They rented a home for 8 months and decided to go to the USA illegally with the hope of being able to do more. They sent their children back to Oaxaca because it was not safe for them to go and only Santiago and Severina crossed into the USA. They lived there for 2 years. During those 2 years, Santiago would send money to his brother to pay for their land in Ensneada. During their time in the United States, they also had 3 more children. They have been back in Ensenada for 3 years now with all of their children and are trying to make a good life for themselves. Santiago has always worked in the fields where they salary levels are very low. While he was working in the United States, Santiago saved enough money to be able to build a home here in Ensenada. But his mom became ill in Oaxaca and they left the USA to go back to Oaxaca and be with her and they used up all of their savings. Until this day, they have not been able to save again and have not been able to build a better home than the one they have been living in.

MA Shelter Cove- Ramirez Heron Family

Build Dates: March 28 & 29

Family Information:

Father- Jorge Misael

• Age: 30
• Profession: Field Worker
• Weekly Salary: $53 approximately

Mother- Lourdes

• Age: 24
• Profession: Homemaker
• Weekly Salary: N/A

Children-

• Brayan Usiel, 2 yrs (boy)
• Eva Luz, 4 yrs (girl)
• Jorge, 8yrs, 3rd Grade (boy)

Property Information:

Colonia- Las Palmas
Time with property- 4 years
Electricity- Yes
Running Water- No

Family Story:

Misael and Lourdes met while working in the fields. They became a couple and were married and started a family. Before meeting Lourdes, Misael had previously been married and Jorge Humberto is from that marriage. Misael and Lourdes have had two children together. The land where they currently live was bought by Misael and his sister, and they were the ones paying for it over 6 years. The land is paid off and Misael and his family have been living their for 4 years now. 4 years ago they built a small home from wood, plastic for the roof, and a dirt floor. They have struggled ever since becoming a family, but have hope that one day they will have a proper home for their children and be able to provide their children with a better life. Misael works in the fields watering the plants and receives minimum wage which is needed to cover all of their expenses. At the moment, Lourdes stays home to care for her family. Sometimes she has needed to find work cleaning houses when they are short on money.

MA Shelter Cove- Heron Florencio Family

Build Dates: March 28 & 29

Family Information:

Father- Emiliano

• Age:
• Profession: Field Worker
• Weekly Salary: $47

Mother- Reina

• Age:
• Profession: Homemaker
• Weekly Salary: N/A

Children-

• Julio, 10 yrs, 5th Grade (boy)
• Angela, 10 yrs, 4th Grade (girl)
• Oswaldo, 6 yrs, Kindergarten (boy)
• Areli, 4 yrs, Kindergarten (girl)

Property Information:

Colonia- Paraiso
Time with property- 2 years 

Family Story:

Emiliano and Reina met while working in the fields and became a couple and started living together. They moved into a room that their boss lent them. They continued to work and started their family. When Reina was unable to continue working, the boss kicked them out of the room because he wanted that both of them were working for in return for the room. When this happened, they needed to now live on the salary of only one person as well as pay the rent each month and find a place they could afford. They decided it was better for them to buy a piece of land on credit and build whatever they could. They have been unable to build a home. They are currently living in one room that was built from pallets. In that room live 8 people, they sleep there and cook there.

MA Youth Unlimited- Hernandez Pacheco Family

Build Dates: March 28th-30th

Family Information:

Father- Jose Luis

• Age: 23
• Profession: Factory Worker
• Weekly Salary: $53 approximately

Mother- Maria

• Age: 23
• Profession: Homemaker
• Weekly Salary: N/A

Children-

• Daira, 4 yrs
• Dulce, 1 yr

Property Information:

Colonia- Jesus Carrillo
Time with property- 5 years

Family Story:

Jose Luis and Maria are originally from Oaxaca and met here in Ensenada because they worked together. Jose Luis attended a Christian church and he once spoke with his pastor and asked for advice. Jose wanted to get married and his pastor told him to pray about it and that God would send him the perfect wife. He later met Maria and after dating for 6 months, they got married and started their family. After they had their first child, Daira, they had a son, Jose Manuel. When Jose Manuel was 1 1/2 years old, they took the baby to see the doctor one day because he had a fever and wasn't doing well. The doctor in Maneadero said that the baby was fine, and that it was just an infection and with a prescription shot he would get better and they could return home. After returning home, the baby started to feel very cold and the next day he had gotten worse. They took him back to the hospital, this time to Ensenada, but he didn't get better. He was hospitalized and later passed away. It was something very difficult for Jose Luis and Maria to deal with. But their faith in God helped them to overcome. After some time they had another daughter, and this brought joy back to their home. God has given them strength to get through whatever life hands them. They say that the baby looks a lot like their son who died. This family is currently living in a small 1 room house built out of wood. Jose Luis has faith that they will one day have a proper home.

MA Youth Unlimited- Mendoza Gonzalez Family

Build Dates: March 28th-30th

Family Information:

Father- Francisco

• Age: 37
• Profession: Field Worker
• Weekly Salary: $58 approximately

Mother- Rosa

• Age: 28
• Profession: Homemaker
• Weekly Salary: N/A

Children-

• Gonzalo, 11 yrs
• Norma, 8 yrs
• Sebastian, 3 yrs
• Nancy, 7 months

Property Information:

Colonia- Mira Mar

Family Story:

Francisco and Rosa are originally from Oaxaca and came to Ensenada just about two years ago. They came looking for work and found it working in the vegetable fields. They rented a small house that was in very bad conditions and then had to move to another home. They decided to buy a piece of land on credit and have a place of their own. But with Francisco's salary, they barely have enough to cover the monthly land payments, buy food, clothes for the children, and the basic necessities.  Rosa stays home to care for their children and take the older kids to school. The house where they currently live is very small, dangerous, and cold. The walls are old and the floor is all dirt. Francisco works every day from 7am until 3 or 4 in the afternoon, Monday-Friday. This family is going through difficult times and do not have enough to cover all their needs.

Walk the Talk- Vazquez Pacheco Family

Build Dates: March 17 & 18

Family Information:

Father- Angel

• Age: 36
• Profession: Factory Worker
• Weekly Salary: $50 approximately

Mother- Norma Veronica

• Age: 37
• Profession: Homemaker
• Weekly Salary: N/A

Children-

• Daniela, 11 yrs, 6th Grade (girl)
• Britani, 14 yrs, 2nd Grade (girl)
• Natali, 17 yrs, High School (girl)

Property Information:

Colonia- Durango
Time with property- 6 years
Electricity-
Running Water-

Family Story:

Norma Veronica is originally from Nogales, Sonora. Veronica was previously married to the father of 3 of her 4 daughters; but their marriage didn't last. Her ex was physically abusive and she decided it was for the best that they get divorced. It was then that she came to Ensenada to live with her grandfather and work in a factory. While working there she met Angel, her current husband, and the father of her youngest daughter. Veronica and Angel have been a family now for 13 years. For the first 9 years together, they lived with Angel's sister. They later bought their own land on credit and have been living there for 4 years in a trailer that was lent to them. One month ago they had to return the trailer and were left to find another place to live. Angel works in a factory and receives a salary of about $50 a week. His salary is insufficient to cover their household expenses, land payments, and be able to build themselves a home. For this reason, they still do not have a home of their own. Norma Veronica stays home to care for her family. Thing have recently gotten tough for this family, but they have faith that they will be able to get through.

Westside Kings- Luna Lucero Family

Build Dates: March 22 & 23

Family Information:

Father- Montserrat

• Age: 24
• Profession: Factory Worker
• Weekly Salary: $76

Mother- Adriana

• Age: 23
• Profession: N/A
• Weekly Salary: N/A

Children-

• Osvaldo, 6 yrs, Kindergarten (boy)
• Estrella, 3 yrs (girl)
• Orlando, 1 yr 10 months

Property Information:

Colonia- Veladero
Time with property- 
Electricity-
Running Water-

Family Story:

Agape Christian Church- Sanchez Barrera Family

Build Dates: March 18th & 19th

Family Information:

Father- Victor

• Age: 28
• Profession: Laborer
• Weekly Salary: $58-70

Mother- Luz Angelica

• Age: 23
• Profession: Homemaker
• Weekly Salary: N/A

Children-

• Angelica,7rs, 2nd Grade (girl)
• Ismael, 4 yrs (boy)
• Lorena, 2 yrs (girl)

Property Information:

Colonia- Plan de Ayala
Time with property- 4 years
Electricity- Yes
Running Water- Yes

Family Story:

Luz Angelica is originally from Sinaloa. She came to Ensenada with her mother when she was 10 years old. When she was 13 years she fell in love with a man who was 29 years old. They got together and Luz had her oldest daughter Angelica with him. A couple years later they had Ismael. When Ismael was only 10 days old, her husband was in an accident and passed away. Luz then had to find help to care for her kids while she went to work in the fields. Some time passed and she met Victor and they began a relationship together. Victor accepted Luz and her two children, later having his own child, Lorena. Luz already had land that she is still currently making payments on. Victor works as a laborer and his salary varies. Luz is a stay at home mom. The place where they live is is made of old scrap wood and things that has been given to them. It has holes and leaks with the rain. It is difficult for this family to be able to build a proper home.

MA Neighborhood Christian School- Ramirez Reyes Family

Build Dates: March 14th-16th

Family Information:

Son- Alejandro

• Age: 21
• Profession: Produce Packer
• Weekly Salary: $115

Mother- Epifania

• Age: 45
• Profession: N/A
• Weekly Salary: N/A

Children-

• Rosa, 18 yrs (girl)
• Demetria, 15 yrs, 8th Grade (girl)
• Lucia, 12 yrs, 7th Grade (girl) 
• Aurelia, 9 yrs, 4th Grade (girl)
• Margarita, 7 yrs, 1st Grade (girl)
• Lizbeth, 4 yrs, Preschool (girl)
• Rodrigo, 1 yr (boy)

Property Information:

Colonia- Maneadero
Time with property- 3 months
Electricity- NO
Running Water- NO

Family Story:

Epifania lives alone with her 9 children. 5 months ago she separated from her alcoholic husband. She is originally from Oaxaca, but moved to Ensenada 6 years ago looking for work. When they came, they had 6 children; the youngest 3 were born here in Ensenada. When Epifania and her husband split, Alejandro and Rosa had to help provide for the family while Epifania stays home caring for the younger children, taking them to school and feeding them. They currently live in a small house made of old wood scraps. Except for the oldest 2 who are working, all of the children are in school.

MA Crosshill- Rodriguez Meza Family

Build Dates: March 14th & 15th

Family Information:

Father- Gabriel

• Age: 47
• Profession: Waiter
• Weekly Salary: $56

Mother- Estela

• Age: 45
• Profession: N/A
• Weekly Salary: N/A

Children-

• Gabriela, 22 yrs, Special Needs `

Property Information:

Colonia- Piedras Negras
Time with property- 15+ years
Electricity- Yes
Running Water- Yes

Family Story:

Gabriel and Estela have been married for 22 years. They have a daughter who has special needs. Gabriela is mentally handicapped, doesn't talk, suffers from neurological problems, brain calcification, and is 100% dependent on her mother. Estela is unable to work due to the fact that she has to be caring for her daughter. For 6 years this family lived in a rented home and then with in-laws. Gabriel's mom ended up leaving them a piece of land as inheritance when she passed away. This is where they have been living and built the home they have had for many years. The home is made from old pieces of scrap wood and does not have a proper foundation. 

Southgate- Martinez Dominguez Family

Build Dates: March 12th & 13th

Family Information:

Mother- Lucesita

• Age: 33
• Profession: Field Worker
• Weekly Salary: $53

Children-

• Kristen Yoana, 15 yrs, 9th Grade
• Estefani, 9 yrs, 4th Grade
• Alan, 9 yrs, 4th Grade
• Jesus, 6 yrs, 1st Grade
• Edwin, 3 yrs

Property Information:

Colonia-
Time with property- 
Electricity-
Running Water-

Family Story:

Chicago Hope Green- Preciado Mercado Family

Build Dates: March 7th-9th

Family Information:

Mother- Kenia

• Age: 28
• Profession: Housekeeper
• Weekly Salary: $70

Children-

• Brian, 9 yrs, 4th Grade (boy)
• Bella Rosa, 7 yrs, 2nd Grade (girl)
• Edgar, 5 yrs, Kindergarten
• Eduardo, 5 yrs, Kindergarten (boy)

Property Information:

Colonia- 2 Octubre
Time with property- 2 months
Electricity- No
Running Water- No

Family Story:

Kenia is from Jalisco and that is where she met the father of her children. She left him because he was physically and emotionally abusive with her. Her children, in particular the eldest, were the witnesses to this abuse. One day they saw him hit their mom so hard that she needed to go to the hospital. An aunt went to visit them and realized what all Kenia was going through. Kenia weighed only about 105 pounds and going through hell. That aunt gave Kenia $300 and helped her leave and move to Ensenada with her mother five years ago. They arrived in Ensenada and were given a house to live in for a short amount of time. Kenia sought out work and tried to look for a way to be able to provide for her family. Her ex-husband thought that she would return , but because of her pride, she never went back and never asked him for help. He has sent support to his kids on very few occasions. One month ago her uncle asked for the house to be returned to him and so she went to the bank and took out a loan of almost $600 to be able to build a house on the land she had bought on credit two years ago. Kenia's mom, along with some of her friends, helped her to make the move to her land. Kenia works as a housekeeper and the salary she makes is used to make the land payments and care for her children. It has been very difficult for Kenia to provide for her children and make a better life for them.

Chicago Hope Blue- Rodriguez Sandoval Family

Build Dates: March 7th-9th

Family Information:

Father- Rogelio

• Age: 28
• Profession: Field Worker
• Weekly Salary: $53

Mother- Vanessa

• Age: 28
• Profession: Homemaker
• Weekly Salary: N/A

Children-

• Esperanza Guadalupe, 13 yrs, 7th Grade (girl)
• Yomeine, 10 yrs, 4th Grade (boy)
• Rogelio Ramon, 1 yr (boy)

Property Information:

Colonia- El Paraiso
Time with property- 4 years
Electricity- Yes
Running Water- No

Family Story:

Vanessa was a single mother of two children. She was married to a man for 10 years, but he mistreated her and she decided to leave him after her daughter witnessed her get hit by the father. Vanessa had started to become afraid of him before that though and thought things could only get worse. Sometimes he would take their daughter Esperanza and make her sleep outside the house. Vanessa left with the two kids and went to live with her parents for two years. Vanessa started to work in the fields and is where she met Rogelio five years ago. Four years ago they were given a place to live on the land where they are currently living. It was just two months ago when they were able to buy it and make it their own. The house they built out of scrap wood and tarps. Their situation is a difficult one. They do not have enough money to cover all their expenses and build a proper home. The desire of Vanessa and Rogelio is to be able to give their children safe place they can call home and be together.

Chicago Hope Red- Mendoza Palma Family

Build Dates: March 7th-9th

Family Information:

Father- Jesus

• Age: 55
• Profession: Field Worker
• Weekly Salary: $70

Mother- Maria de Jesus

• Age: 35
• Profession: Homemaker
• Weekly Salary: N/A

Children-

• Destin Bryan, 15 yrs, 7th Grade (boy)
• Britani, 13 yrs, 6th Grade (girl)
• Lesli Nahomi, 11 yrs, 6th Grade (girl)
• Josue Miguel, 7 yrs, 2nd Grade (boy)

Property Information:

Colonia- Maneadero
Time with property- 6 months
Electricity-
Running Water-

Family Story:

Maria de Jesus was married to Jose her husband of 13 years. During those 13 years together, she, and the kids, suffered from physical abuse. For this reason she decided to leave him before it got worse. They were living at a ranch called Agua Caliente in Ojos Negros. When Maria left Jose, she came to Ensenada to live with one of her sisters. They lived there for a year and a half before moving to a house they lived in while it was on the market to be sold. The house sold and they once again had to go live with Maria's sister. At this time, she met Jesus and they got together. With the help of Jesus, they bought a piece of land on credit and built a place for them to live in; they continue to pay off their land. Jesus doesn't have steady work to provide a stable income for his family and Maria doesn't work as she stays home to care for her children. The children have suffered from internal trauma due to the abuse they received from their biological father and have had to go to therapy sessions with their school psychologist. This has also caused them to fall behind in their school. 

New Life Green- Ochoa Martinez Family

Build Dates: March 4th & 5th

Family Information:

Mother- Rosario

• Age: 29
• Profession:
• Weekly Salary:

Children-

• Obdiel, 4 yrs (boy)
• Alexa, 2 yrs (girl)

Property Information:

Colonia- San Rafael
Time with property- 2 years
Electricity-
Running Water-

Family Story:

Rosario is a single mother. The father of her 2 children left her 2 years ago and went to live with another woman. At that time, she was 7 months pregnant with their daughter. Because of that, it was very difficult for her to be able to find work to support herself and children alone. Thanks to the help of her sisters, she was able to move forward. They supported her with about $17 a week and sometimes with food as well. Rosario had to go live with her mother cause she had nowhere else to go. Rosario also has a sister who still lives at home in their Mom's small house. Rosario's mom donated a piece of her land to Rosario so she could have something to start a place of her own, but Rosario hasn't had the means to be able to build a house for her and her children. Rosario is currently working at a supermarket and earns a salary of about $50 a week, but that is not enough to cover their personal expenses, care for the children, and build a home.

New Life Blue- Gutierrez Martinez Family

Build Dates: March 4th & 5th

Family Information:

Mother- Minerva

• Age: 34
• Profession: Sells Produce
• Weekly Salary: $30

Children-

• Diana, 13 yrs, 8th Grade (girl)

Property Information:

Colonia- Todos Santos
Time with property-  2 years
Electricity- No
Running Water- No

Family Story:

Minerva is a single mother who was abandoned by her husband 3 years ago when he left her for another woman. He does not support or help her in any way. Minerva has never had a proper home, was renting and then decided to buy land to have something of their own. Some of her friends and family members helped her build a small room from scrap wood, cardboard and pieces of plywood. This is where Minerva and her daughter have lived for the last 3 years.

New Life Red- Magana Osuna Family

Build Dates: March 4th & 5th

Family Information:

Mother- Esther

• Age: 33
• Profession: Nanny
• Weekly Salary: $58

Children-

• Adrian, 6 yrs, 1st Grade (boy)
• Kenneth, 13 yrs, 8th Grade (boy)

Property Information:

Colonia- April 17th
Time with property-
Electricity- Yes
Running Water- Yes

Family Story:

Esther is a single mother who has 2 sons, each one has a different father. She separated from the first husband because they were very young and their marriage was working out. Kenneth was 5 years old when his dad left. Esther met another man and they lived together and had Adrian. When Adrian was born the doctors found a problem in his heart and he has to be taken to a specialist to check on it once every year. Shortly after Adrian was born, Esther decided to leave the second man because he treated the two boys differently, always treating Adrian his biological son better than Kenneth. Esther's mother passed away four years ago and left Esther her home where they are currently living. The home is very old and in very bad conditions. Esther works in Maneadero, far away from where she lives, working as a nanny and housekeeper. She gets paid about $58 a week, but it is not enough to cover all their needs.

Horizons Blue- Velazco Martinez Family

Build Dates: February 26th-28th

Family Information:

Father- Jose Angel

• Age: 23
• Profession: Field Worker
• Weekly Salary: $53

Mother- Arlet

• Age: 22
• Profession: Homemaker
• Weekly Salary: N/A

Children-

• Angel Joseph, 3 yrs (boy)
• Alan Ismael, 1 yr (boy)

Property Information:

Colonia- Paraiso
Time with property- 11 months
Electricity-
Running Water-

Family Story:

Arlet is originally from Veracruz, but moved to Ensenada 8 years ago. It was here, 6 years ago, when she met her husband Jose Angel and when they started living together. For their first 3 years together, they lived with Jose Angel's mother. It was during that time that they had their first child. After those first 3 years, Jose's mother left and let them use her home. Jose Angel has always had a very low salary from working in the fields. One year ago, they decided to buy a piece of land on credit and have something better for their children. They continue to make payments each month on their land. Jose and Arlet have not been able to build a home on their land. They have always struggled economically and because Jose didn't study, there aren't other options for where he can work, other than in the fields. Jose and Arlet have also struggled in their marriage due to the difficult times they've gone through and they separated for a very short time. Jose Angel decided that was not what he wanted and went to Arlet asking for her forgiveness and to come home. Arlet forgave him and they got back together and have continued to work through things together. For the past year they have lived in a small trailer that they have rented from his mom. They are ready to have a place they can call home.