Varillas Mendez - Eight Eleven Group (Green Team)

Varillas Mendez

Date Build: Saturday 26th - Sunday 27th, Sept 2026

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Luisa

Age: 48 years old

Job: Cleaning houses

Salary weekly: $200 US

Luis - 5 years old

Amber - 11 years old

Anix - 16 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope, I was born in Puebla and come from a low-income family, so I did not have the opportunity to attend school and began working when I was only eight years old. As the years passed, life's circumstances gradually took me farther away from my family and the place where I was born. I spent eighteen years with the father of my children, and during that time he suffered a serious accident that left him in a coma. It was an extremely difficult period, both emotionally and financially, as I struggled to cover his medical expenses and eventually had to leave my hometown to find work. Later, the father of my children developed problems with alcohol, and I made the difficult decision to move to Tijuana to create distance from that situation and seek a more stable future for my children. Since arriving here, we have been on our own, far away from our family, moving from one rental home to another and constantly having to adapt to new places. One of my greatest dreams is to own a home that would give us stability and relieve us from the constant burden of rent. The cost of living continues to increase, and I am also getting older, but my children's future remains my greatest priority. I do not want them to have to give up their education as I did. I want them to continue studying and have opportunities that I never had. To me, having a home of my own would mean much more than simply having a roof over our heads. It would mean finally having a place where my children and I could stay without worrying about having to move again, a place where I could rest peacefully, care for my plants, and provide the attention my youngest son needs because of his hyperactivity. After so many years of hard work and hardship, my greatest desire is to provide my children with a safe, stable, and dignified home where they can continue their education, grow, and build a better future. Thank you sincerely for taking the time to learn about our story and for considering our application. I am deeply grateful for the work you do and, above all, grateful to God for allowing us to continue holding on to the hope that this dream may one day become a reality.

Montoya Figueroa - Rise City Church (Red Team)

Montoya Figueroa

Date Build: Saturday 26th - Sunday 27th, Sept 2026

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Maria

Age: 36 years old

FATHER: Adrian

Age: 38 years old

Job: Driver / Construction company

Salary weekly: $239 US

CHILDREN:

Adrian - 14 years old

Raul -11 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope team, I arrived in Tijuana in 2008, supposedly only temporarily, for a few months, because I came to spend time with my girlfriend—who is now my wife—as we were in a long-distance relationship while I was living in Sinaloa. At that time, I had a tourist visa, and I used to cross into the United States to work, and things were going well until I lost my documents. I then had two choices: try to cross illegally or stay in Tijuana, get married, and build a family. I chose to get married in 2010, and afterward we rented a place to live. It was difficult paying rent, buying furniture, and paying off the debt I acquired after losing my visa. A few months later, we found out we were going to become parents, and my wife stopped working. After our baby was born, she returned to work but began experiencing severe pain. She was diagnosed with degeneration in her spinal discs and was told she would no longer be able to carry heavy objects, so I became the sole provider for our family. Since then, she has dedicated herself to caring for our children while I work to support us. My job is not formal employment, so I do not receive benefits such as health insurance or Infonavit housing assistance, which is why we looked for a piece of land within our means. My sister lent us the money to pay for it in full so we could avoid interest, and now we repay her little by little, but it has become difficult because my mother is ill in San Luis Río Colorado, so we must visit her and send financial support. That is why we have not been able to build a home yet. Having a place of our own would help us tremendously, and we sincerely thank you in advance.

Lobato Gonzalez - Redeemer's Fellowship (Purple Team)

Lobato Gonzalez

Date Build: Saturday 26th - Sunday 27th, Sept 2026

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Maria Elena

Age: 29 years old

FATHER: Victor

Age: 34 years old

Job: Dental Lab

Salary weekly: $285 US

CHILDREN:

Sebastian - 4 years old

Bruno - 2 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope, we are a family of four, and our story began in 2018 when we started dating. A year later, we decided to build a life together, and four months after that, we left our home state of Puebla and moved to Tijuana in search of better employment opportunities and a brighter future for our family. In November 2021, after three long days of labor, our first son was born. Holding our baby for the first time was an incredible experience that changed our lives and inspired us to begin building something of our own for his future. With great faith and sacrifice, we were able to make the down payment on a piece of land, which we are still paying for today, while continuing to save whatever we can to build our home. Because we are not originally from Tijuana, we do not know many people here and have had to learn to move forward largely on our own. After saving enough money to begin construction, we trusted someone to build our house, but unfortunately, he completed only a small amount of poor-quality work and left with the money we had worked so hard to save. It was a painful disappointment and a major setback for our dream. Shortly afterward, we learned that our family would be growing again, and that blessing gave us renewed strength to keep going. Our children bring tremendous joy into our lives and give us a reason to continue through every challenge, even though parenthood also brings many responsibilities, worries, and sleepless nights. One of our most difficult experiences came when Bruno unexpectedly became ill. Seeing our son in the hospital receiving intravenous treatment was heartbreaking, but thanks to God, after undergoing surgery he recovered and returned to being the same joyful child he was before. We have faced other difficult circumstances throughout the years, but we prefer not to focus only on our hardships because we also have many beautiful experiences and blessings for which we are grateful, especially the blessing of remaining together and continuing to grow as a family. I have worked hard and done everything within my means to build a home for my family, but so far I have not been able to accomplish it. My greatest wish is for my family to live in peace and security in a home of our own where our children can grow and create beautiful memories. For this reason, we humbly come to you with hope and ask you to consider our family for this opportunity. Receiving a home would mean more to us than words can express and would allow us to continue building the future we dream of for our children. We are infinitely grateful for your time, your consideration, and the opportunity to share our story.

Ochoa Ramirez - Eight Eleven Group (Blue Team)

Ochoa Ramirez

Date Build: Saturday 26th - Sunday 27th, Sept 2026

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Hilda

Age: 31 years old

Job: Factory Worker

Salary weekly: $222 US

FATHER: Rafael

Age: 31 years old

Job: Assembly plan

Salary weekly: $204 US

CHILDREN:

Gustavo - 2 years old

Nayara - 6 years old

Allison - 8 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope, first of all, may God bless you for the wonderful work you do to support so many families like ours. Our family moved from Michoacán to Tijuana in search of a new beginning, especially so that my mother could recover from a very difficult situation she experienced with my father. As a result of everything she went through, she developed diabetes and high blood pressure, and because of her health and our family circumstances, I had to stop studying and begin working to help support her. It was during that time that I met my husband. Our relationship moved quickly, but it was a beautiful beginning that eventually led us to build a family together. He has also faced many hardships throughout his life. He grew up in a very low-income family and experienced hunger from a young age. About a year ago, his father passed away, and because we did not have enough money, he was unable to travel to attend the funeral, which was very painful for him. When we first began living together, we shared a house with another couple so we could divide the rent. We had almost nothing except our clothes and slept on the floor. Little by little, through hard work, we were able to obtain the basic things we needed, including a bed, a refrigerator, and a stove. Later, I found out I was pregnant, and it became a high-risk pregnancy that brought many concerns. When our baby was about eight months old, we were asked to leave the house, and around the same time, I discovered that I was pregnant again. Our children became sick often because the house had mold and excessive moisture, so my mother came to live with us and help care for them. Today, we are the parents of three children, who are the greatest blessing in our lives and the reason we continue working so hard. Since becoming a mother, I have prayed to God for wisdom and strength to accomplish my goals, and the most important of those goals is to provide stability and well-being for my family. My husband and I both work so our children will have what they need and so that one day we can provide them with a home of their own. However, we have not yet been able to save enough to build a safe house. I also work, but I have lost or had to leave jobs several times when our children became sick because I needed to stay home and care for them. My husband has always been there for us, and together we have learned to work different shifts so that one of us can care for the children while the other is working. Every day, we ask God to provide food, work, and the strength we need to continue. Another of our greatest dreams is for our grandmother to come live with us so that she no longer has to work and can have a safe and comfortable place to rest with her family. Since coming to know God, we have understood that He is the one who has control over our lives. For that reason, we continue moving forward in faith, trusting that one day we will achieve our greatest dream: a stable, safe, and dignified home where our children can grow up with peace and security. Thank you sincerely for taking the time to learn about our story and for considering our application. May God continue to bless you and the wonderful work you do for families in need.

Contreras Barrios - South Sub Church (Orange Team)

Contreras Barrios

Date Build: Friday 25th - Saturday 26th, September 2026

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Charlene

Age: 40 years old

FATHER: Mario

Age: 42 years old

Job: Mechanic

Salary weekly: $142 US

CHILDREN:

Luis Jorge - 17 years old

Ana Rosa - 8 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope, my wife and I have been together for twenty years. We met when we were 17 and 19 years old, and since then we have built a beautiful and close-knit family. Although we have relatives, throughout the years it has primarily been the four of us supporting one another through every hardship and working together to move forward. Recently, we faced one of the most difficult experiences of our lives when our son was diagnosed with a tumor in his ear. It was a time of tremendous fear and uncertainty, and that concern continues because there is a possibility that the tumor could return. During this difficult period, I was also diagnosed with diabetes. I am a mechanic and take work wherever I can find it, but because of my condition, there are days when fatigue prevents me from working normally, which has affected our income. We rented homes for many years and lived in our last rental for approximately eleven years until we were unexpectedly asked to leave. Our lives changed suddenly, and we moved onto the small piece of land we had acquired, filled with hope and dreams of building a home for our family. Unfortunately, my health and our financial circumstances have prevented me from making those dreams a reality. One of the things that hurts me most as a father is that our children have lost a year of school because of the situation we are facing. My wife and I sell whatever we can and accept any honest work available to provide for our family. I also worked as a night security guard for a time, but the constant pressure of worrying about our children's education, our son's health, putting food on the table, and finding adequate housing eventually affected my health even more. Our current living conditions are very difficult. Our roof consists only of sheets of plywood, and when it rains, water comes through both the roof and the walls, soaking our belongings. I have truly done everything within my means to provide something better for my family, but so far our resources have not been enough. Despite everything, we refuse to give up. Every day we continue working and doing whatever honest jobs we can find to move forward. Our greatest desire is to provide our children with a safe, stable, and dignified home where our family can regain the peace and stability we have lost. We have great faith in God and hope that through you we may receive the opportunity to transform our circumstances and begin a new chapter as a family. Having a dignified home would be an incredible blessing to us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for considering our application and for everything you do to help families in need.

Valencia Velazquez - Ramsey (Yellow Team)

Valencia Velazquez

Date Build: Saturday 5th - Sunday 6th, Sept 2026

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Mayda

Age: 39 years old

Job: Flea market

Salary weekly: $112 US

CHILDREN:

Heidi - 7 years old

Nathaly - 9 years old

Erick - 16 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope, at this time, I do not have a permanent job. I help at a food bank, where in exchange for my assistance I receive a bag of fruits and vegetables and am able to purchase other food items at half price. I also sell different items at local street markets to earn additional income. With great effort and the limited resources available to me, I was able to build a small room where we currently live. My parents live in Chiapas, and because my mother is ill, I try to visit them once a year so I can spend time with them and support them as much as possible. When my oldest son, Erick, was in high school, I worked at a factory, and he helped me by caring for his younger siblings. Because I was able to work during that time, I managed to purchase our piece of land. Later, Erick decided to begin working as well, and because our schedules were no longer compatible, I had no one available to care for my two younger children. As a result, I had to leave my job to care for them. Erick is a hardworking young man who wants to continue his education, and he is currently working and saving money because his dream is to attend college. As his mother, I want to support him in achieving that goal while also providing a safe and stable environment for my younger children. Having a dignified and secure home would be an incredible blessing for our family. It would give my children a safe place to grow and provide Erick with greater stability as he continues working toward his dream of attending college. Despite our challenges, we continue doing everything we can to move forward. Thank you sincerely for taking the time to learn about our story and for considering our application.

Ruiz Piñon - Ramsey (Brown Team)

Ruiz Piñon

Date Build: Saturday 5th - Sunday 6th, Sept 2026

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Annette

Age: 37 years old

FATHER: Alfonso

Age: 40 years old

Job: Musician

Salary weekly: $188 US

CHILDREN:

Axel - 13 years old

Anamariz - 20 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope, with great respect, we would like to share the situation our family is currently facing and thank you for the opportunity to be considered for your support. At this time, we are experiencing financial difficulties that have prevented us from building a dignified home through our own means. As a family, we do our best to remain united and support one another, but we have faced several financial challenges that have limited what we are able to accomplish. We currently live in a simple house that does not provide the most adequate or comfortable living conditions for our family. In addition, the home does not belong to us, and the owners have already asked us to move out. For now, they have allowed us to remain here, but we live with the uncertainty that at any moment we may have to leave without having a secure place to go. For this reason, having a home of our own would mean much more than simply having a roof over our heads. It would provide our family with stability, peace of mind, and the opportunity to improve our quality of life. Our greatest desire is to have a safe, dignified, and adequate home where we can remain without constantly worrying about having to move again. Despite our difficulties, we continue working together as a family and holding on to the hope of achieving this dream. We sincerely thank you for taking the time to learn about our situation and for considering our application. Your support would give our family an invaluable opportunity to begin a new chapter with greater security and hope.

Rios Hernandez - Ramsey (Orange Team)

Rios Hernandez

Date Build: Saturday 5th - Sunday 6th, Sept 2026

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Raquel

Age: 23 years old

FATHER: Victor

Age: 30 years old

Job: Moving van

Salary weekly: $176 US

CHILDREN:

Mateo - 6 years old

Ester - 2 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope, we are a family that faces each day with love, hope, and great strength as we work to move forward. Our children are the center of our lives and the reason we continue striving for a better future. We have been together for nine years, always supporting one another through every season. Our son Mateo is very special to us. In 2023, he was diagnosed with level 3 autism, which means he requires constant support in his daily life. His needs present significant challenges for our family because he requires attention, understanding, therapy, and above all, a stable and secure environment that can support his well-being and development. Despite the difficulties, Mateo has taught us to see life through different eyes, to appreciate every small achievement, to be more patient, and to love more deeply. Our daughter Ester is full of sweetness and innocence, and as she grows up alongside her brother, she is learning to share, to be compassionate, and to live with empathy and love. As a family, we have faced many difficult moments, especially because we do not have an adequate and secure living space that can help improve Mateo’s quality of life and development. Our greatest dream is to provide both of our children with a safe, stable, and dignified home where they can grow with peace of mind and where Mateo can have an environment that supports his progress. To us, you represent an opportunity to build a better future for our family, and we come to you with humility and hope, trusting that we may be considered for this support. Beyond our dream of having a home, we also carry another very special hope in our hearts: that one day we may hear Mateo’s voice. We trust in God and believe that He will determine the right time for everything. Thank you sincerely for taking the time to learn about our story and for considering our family. May God continue to bless your work and use you to bring hope to families in need.

Garcia Perez - Ramsey (Blue Team)

Garcia Perez

Date Build: Saturday 5th - Sunday 6th, Sept 2026

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Isabel

Age: 43 years old

Job: Factory worker

Salary weekly: $216 US

FATHER: Ubaldo

Age: 48 years old

Job: Construction worker

Salary weekly: $198 US

CHILDREN:

Brenda - 9 years old

Bianca - 19 years old

Cesar - 25 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope, we would like to extend our warmest greetings and sincerely thank you for the opportunity to share our story. We are a family like many others, with good times and difficult times, but we have always remained united and supported one another through every challenge. One of our greatest dreams is to settle in a permanent place that we can call our own, where our children can grow up with stability without having to experience the difficulties of constantly moving and adapting to new surroundings. At the moment, I do not work outside the home because I am caring for our youngest daughter. When my older children were little, I worked, and it was very difficult to balance my job with spending enough time with them, finding someone trustworthy to care for them, and requesting time off whenever they needed me. For this reason, when our youngest daughter was born, my husband and I decided that I would stay home to care for her. However, I still want to contribute to our family's income, so I am currently saving money to purchase the supplies and utensils I need to begin baking and selling cookies and bread to help my husband with our household expenses. We currently live with my in-laws, and although we do not pay rent, we contribute by covering expenses such as electricity, gas, and water. We are very grateful to have a place to live, but we continue dreaming of having a home of our own where our children can have their own space, invite their friends over, enjoy time together, and create special memories. The thought of one day having our own home fills our entire family with excitement and motivates us to continue working hard despite the challenges we face. We trust that God is with us and that, in His perfect timing, this dream can become a reality. Thank you sincerely for taking the time to learn about our family and for considering us for this opportunity. May God always bless you and continue to strengthen the wonderful work you do.

Gonzalez Martinez - The Crossing (Red Team)

Gonzalez Martinez

Date Build: Friday 4th - Saturday 5th, September 2026

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Ma Angeles

Age: 40 years old

FATHER: Francisco

Age: 38 years old

Job: Propane gas worker

Salary weekly: $152 US

CHILDREN:

Amelia - 5 years old

Esteban - 15 years old

Brian - 16 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope, we would like to extend our warmest greetings and sincerely thank you for the opportunity to share our story. We are a family like many others, with good times and difficult times, but we have always remained united and supported one another through every challenge. One of our greatest dreams is to settle in a permanent place that we can call our own, where our children can grow up with stability without having to experience the difficulties of constantly moving and adapting to new surroundings. At the moment, I do not work outside the home because I am caring for our youngest daughter. When my older children were little, I worked, and it was very difficult to balance my job with spending enough time with them, finding someone trustworthy to care for them, and requesting time off whenever they needed me. For this reason, when our youngest daughter was born, my husband and I decided that I would stay home to care for her. However, I still want to contribute to our family's income, so I am currently saving money to purchase the supplies and utensils I need to begin baking and selling cookies and bread to help my husband with our household expenses. We currently live with my in-laws, and although we do not pay rent, we contribute by covering expenses such as electricity, gas, and water. We are very grateful to have a place to live, but we continue dreaming of having a home of our own where our children can have their own space, invite their friends over, enjoy time together, and create special memories. The thought of one day having our own home fills our entire family with excitement and motivates us to continue working hard despite the challenges we face. We trust that God is with us and that, in His perfect timing, this dream can become a reality. Thank you sincerely for taking the time to learn about our family and for considering us for this opportunity. May God always bless you and continue to strengthen the wonderful work you do.

Perez Montes - The Crossing (Green Team)

Perez Montes

Date Build: Friday 4th - Saturday 5th, September 2026

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Areli

Age: 43 years old

FATHER: Jorge

Age: 56 years old

Job: Market seller

Salary weekly: $92 US

CHILDREN:

Areli - 18 years old

Yeshua - 14 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope, in 1994, I moved to California, where I had the blessing of coming to know our Lord Jesus Christ. Beginning in 1995, I served in the church for many years and had the opportunity to become a worship leader. It was also there that I met my wife, a faithful woman of God who was deeply devoted to serving others. During those years, I worked in construction, repairs, and maintenance to provide for my family, always working hard to keep our family united and strong in our faith. As our children grew older, my wife and I felt called to begin a new ministry, where we served for approximately two and a half years. During that time, while working in construction installing tile floors and remodeling bathrooms, I seriously injured my knee. Eventually, the cartilage became so damaged that I needed surgery, but before I could undergo the procedure, I was deported to Mexico. My wife hired an attorney in hopes of finding a solution, but unfortunately nothing could be done, and in the process we lost all of our savings. When I arrived in Tijuana, a pastor welcomed me and encouraged us to purchase a piece of land. By God's grace, we were able to acquire it, and I immediately began living there in a tent. Being separated was extremely difficult for our family. While I was in Mexico, a gang began harassing our son and pressuring him to join them. They assaulted him and eventually shot him, wounding him in the foot. Because of the danger, my wife and children decided to come to Tijuana so our family could be together again. These experiences deeply affected our children, and our daughter spent many months living in fear and going through a period of profound sadness. Starting over in Tijuana required us to adjust to a completely different way of life. We began selling at local street markets, offering whatever items people generously donated to us, and we continue doing this today. We do not earn very much, but we keep working and trusting God to provide for our needs. Our current living conditions are very difficult. We do not have a proper bathroom, we bathe using buckets of cold water, we cook with firewood, and when it rains, water enters the place where we live. Despite these hardships, our family has remained together and continues moving forward in faith. Our children still have dreams for their future: our daughter hopes to become a doctor, and our son is continuing his high school education. As parents, our greatest desire is to provide them with a safe, warm, and dignified home where they can continue growing and pursuing their dreams. Receiving a home would be an incredible blessing for our family and would give us an opportunity to regain the stability we have lost throughout these difficult years. We pray that God may help us through you and the wonderful work you do. Thank you sincerely for taking the time to learn about our story and for the love you show to families in need. If we are blessed with this opportunity, we will remain forever grateful.

Alvarado Grana - The Crossing (Purple Team)

Alvarado Grana

Date Build: Friday 4th - Saturday 5th, September 2026

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Adriana

Age: 31 years old

FATHER: Absalon

Age: 37 years old

Job: Carpenter

Salary weekly: $203 US

CHILDREN:

Yoseline - 11 years old

Leslie - 10 years old

Mia - 4 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope, we are a family of five, and we have been together for twelve years. When I met my husband, he was taking care of a property in Primo Tapia, and it was there that he learned about some land being sold in the area. With great hope for our future, he began making small payments toward a piece of land of our own. When we decided to start our life together, we moved in with my mother because the small trailer he had was not large enough for our family. At that time, my husband worked as a waiter and relied mainly on tips, while I helped support our household by selling secondhand clothing. With a great deal of effort, we eventually built a small wooden room ourselves on our land using whatever resources we had available. Although we lived with many limitations, we were very happy because we finally had a place we could call our own. We lived there for several years until one day the strong Santa Ana winds destroyed the roof and walls of our little home, leaving our belongings exposed to the rain. I will never forget that day. We all cried and felt completely overwhelmed as we watched everything we had worked so hard to build fall apart. With no other choice, we returned to my mother's home, where there were also many hardships and several people sharing a limited amount of space. We spent most of our days at our property, but at that time we could not afford to rebuild because my husband had lost his job and had begun working as a bicycle delivery driver to provide for our family. During this difficult season, I also began struggling with anxiety, which has become more challenging over the years. Thankfully, God allowed us to reconnect with the friends whose property my husband had cared for years earlier, and their kindness became a light during a very dark time in our lives. Because they rarely use some small rooms they own, they offered us a place to stay, and whenever we are able, we give them $50 as a way of showing our gratitude. This has allowed us to live close to our own property, which we continue to use for some of our everyday needs, such as hanging our clothes to dry. My husband has also set up a small makeshift carpentry workshop where he builds furniture for people who know and appreciate his work. For many years, we have prayed for the opportunity to provide our daughters with a safe, stable, and dignified home. Despite every hardship we have faced, our family has remained together, and we continue moving forward with faith and hope. We sincerely thank you for taking the time to learn about our story and for considering our family for this opportunity. We trust in God and continue to hope that one day our dream of having a home where our daughters can grow up feeling safe and secure will become a reality.

De Los Santos Carrillo - Ramberg / Glass Family (Pink Team)

De Los Santos Carrillo

Date Build: Saturday 29th - Sunday 30th, Aug 2026

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Cristel

Age: 22 years old

FATHER: Jonathan

Age: 29 years old

Job: Mason helper

Salary weekly: $285 US

CHILDREN:

Miguel - baby

Iker - 9 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope, our journey as a family has been filled with many difficult moments, but through hard work, responsibility, and faith in God, we have continued moving forward. When we decided to build our life together, we began by renting a home while both of us worked, hoping that one day we would also be blessed with a child. After much sacrifice, we were able to purchase a small piece of land and a trailer, believing it would be the beginning of our future home. Sadly, one day when we returned from work, the trailer had been stolen, leaving nothing but the empty lot. Losing everything we had worked so hard to achieve was devastating, and we were forced to start over by renting another home while rebuilding our lives from scratch. Over time, we were able to purchase another piece of land in a safer neighborhood, and because rent had become so expensive, we built a small room where we now live. Little by little, we have added electricity and made improvements as our finances have allowed. Today, God has blessed us with the gift of a baby who is due to be born in April. This is our greatest motivation for seeking a home, as the conditions of our small room are not suitable for welcoming a newborn. Before the pregnancy, both of us worked, but because it has been classified as high-risk, we decided that only one of us would continue working so that we could prioritize the health of both mother and baby. I also have a nine-year-old son from a previous relationship, and I have never abandoned my responsibility to care for and support him. I strive to be a positive example for all of my children by teaching them the values of perseverance, responsibility, and faith. Despite everything we have experienced, we refuse to give up because we believe God never allows us to face challenges beyond our strength, and we have learned that with Him by our side, no battle is ever truly lost. We sincerely thank you for taking the time to read our story and for considering our application. May God continue to bless you abundantly and strengthen the wonderful work you do for families like ours.

De la Cruz Torres - Timberlake Church MA (Orange Team)

De la Cruz Torres

Date Build: Monday 17th - Wed 19th, Aug 2026

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Tania

Age: 34 years old

Job: Sells bread

Salary weekly: $49 US

FATHER: Isai

Age: 33 years old

Job: Construction worker

Salary weekly: $171 US

CHILDREN:

Martin - 16 years old

Roxana - 12 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope, we would like to extend our warm greetings and sincerely hope you are doing well. My husband and I met when we were very young—he was 17 and I was 16—and shortly afterward we decided to start a family together. Our first son was born when I was 18, and five years later we welcomed our daughter. Around that time, I came to know God, and a year later my husband also began attending church. From that moment on, our marriage changed profoundly, and together we have sought to raise our children with Christian values and faith. Throughout the years we have faced many trials, illnesses, financial hardships, and challenges, but we have also experienced great blessings, joy, and victories while holding firmly to God's hand. We have lived in borrowed homes and rental houses, some in better condition than others, but despite our greatest desire to own a home, our income has never been enough to make that dream a reality. We are currently facing another difficult situation because the vehicle I use to sell bread and provide for my family suffered a major engine failure and is no longer working. As a result, our income has been greatly reduced, and at this time we can barely afford our children's education, our land payments, food, and other essential expenses. In addition, the neighborhood where we currently rent is a high-risk area with significant safety concerns. We worry constantly about our children, escort our daughter to school every day for her protection, and fear that our son could be influenced or drawn into local gangs. Our greatest hope is to have a safe, stable, and dignified home where our children can grow up in peace, away from violence, and with the opportunity for a better future. We sincerely thank you for taking the time to read our story and for considering our application. We trust in God's provision and pray that He will continue to bless you abundantly and strengthen the life-changing work you do for families like ours.

Barajas Diaz - Calvary Christian School (Red Team)

Barajas Diaz

Date Build: Saturday 15th - Sunday 16th, Aug 2026

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Gabriela

Age: 29 years old

Job: Factory worker

Salary weekly: $102 US

FATHER: Diego

Age: 28 years old

Job: Agricultural worker

Salary weekly: $142 US

CHILDREN:

Alison - 3 years old

Gael - 9 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope, our childhoods were very different, but the experiences we lived through led us to the same conclusion: we want to give our children a better quality of life than we had. My husband grew up in the countryside under very difficult conditions, living in a home with dirt floors, no bathroom, no electricity, no running water, and very limited living space. My own childhood was also marked by hardship. Our house was located near a hillside, and during the winter we endured the cold, while the rainy season often brought water into our home, damaging our belongings. When we learned we were expecting our first child, we decided to build a life together, but we did not have a home of our own, so we began renting. Over the years, rent has increased significantly and now consumes a large portion of our income, making it increasingly difficult to provide financial stability for our family. For this reason, we worked hard to purchase a piece of land, and by God's grace, we were eventually able to pay it off completely. Shortly afterward, our second daughter was born. She experienced ongoing health problems from infancy and required frequent medical care, resulting in unexpected expenses that placed a heavy strain on our finances. To reduce costs, we built a small room on our land so we could stop renting. Although we are grateful to have a place of our own, our living conditions remain very limited because the space is small and does not provide the comfort or security our daughters need. Our greatest hope is to provide them with a safe, stable, and dignified home where they can grow up with peace of mind and a better future. We place our trust in God and pray that, through generous people like you, our dream of providing a proper home for our family may become a reality. Thank you sincerely for taking the time to read our story and for considering our application. May God continue to bless you abundantly and strengthen the life-changing work you do for families in need.

Aco Sabedra - Team Get Paid (Green Team)

Aco Sabedra

Date Build: Saturday 15th - Sunday 16th, Aug 2026

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Daniela

Age: 24 years old

FATHER: Miguel

Age: 27 years old

Job: Construction worker

Salary weekly: $112 US

CHILDREN:

Emily - 7 years old

Melany - 5 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope, my husband and I met when we were very young at a family gathering because he was a friend of my brother. After dating for several years while we were both still in high school, I became pregnant. I was very afraid because I did not know how I would finish my education while preparing to become a mother, but with the unconditional support of my own mother, I was able to complete high school and embrace this new stage of my life. At 40 weeks of pregnancy, my labor was induced, but when my baby developed tachycardia, the doctors decided to perform an emergency cesarean section. It was a frightening experience, but thanks to God, both my daughter and I recovered well. After her birth, my husband and I decided to build our life together and take full responsibility for our family. My husband worked hard to complete elementary school, but because he struggles with reading and writing, finding stable, well-paying employment has been very difficult. For that reason, he became a construction worker, a physically demanding job that provides neither health insurance nor employment benefits. My second pregnancy took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, making my hospital stay especially difficult because visitors were not allowed. Since our daughters are only a little over a year apart in age, the cost of formula, diapers, and other necessities placed a heavy financial burden on our family. There were times when our income was not enough, and we are deeply grateful to my parents for helping us through those difficult moments. At present, I stay home to care for our daughters. One day we learned that a vacant lot across from where we lived was being prepared for sale, and it inspired us to dream of owning land ourselves. Through years of saving, sacrifice, and the support of my parents, we were able to make the down payment. It was one of our family's greatest accomplishments and the beginning of a new dream. For some time, we lived in my mother's house, where our daughters spent their early childhood, creating many precious memories. Unfortunately, after heavy rains, the land began to erode and the house was left dangerously close to a cliff, forcing us to leave for our own safety. Losing that home was heartbreaking because it meant losing much of the stability we had built. Today we rent a small place. Although the rent is relatively affordable, there are times when it is still difficult to pay, especially after covering utility costs. The house also has leaks and excessive moisture, which have affected our daughters' health. Although we now own a small piece of land, we do not yet have the financial means to build on it. Whenever possible, I sell frozen treats to help support our household. As a mother, my greatest wish is to provide my daughters with a safe, stable, and dignified home where they can feel secure and never have to worry when it rains. At the moment, all four of us share a single bed because we do not have enough space or resources. For this reason, I humbly ask you to consider our application. Receiving a home would give our family the opportunity to provide our daughters with the safety, stability, and future we have worked so hard to achieve. Thank you sincerely for taking the time to read our story. May God continue to bless you and strengthen the wonderful work you do for families in need.

Garcia Hernandez - Team Get Paid (Blue Team)

Garcia Hernandez

Date Build: Saturday 15th - Sunday 16th, Aug 2026

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Maria de la Luz

Age: 49 years old

Son: Saul

Age: 29

Job: Factory worker

Salary weekly: $228 US

CHILDREN:

Karla - 15 years old

Cristian - 11 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope, I am a single mother of six children, originally from the state of Michoacán. Many years ago, I moved to Tijuana with my former partner and my son, Saúl, hoping to build a better life for our family. When we arrived, my former brother-in-law kindly allowed us to live in a small room in his home, where my daughter Daniela was born. Unfortunately, my former partner became involved with drugs and alcohol, which led to serious problems and eventually caused us to lose our place to live. Shortly afterward, he abandoned us, leaving me alone to care for our two children. Determined to provide for them, I began working at a factory, but because of the long commute, I had to rent a small room that I covered with a tarp to protect my children from the weather. Later, I met another man, and together we had my four younger children. For a time, we lived above the hardware store where he worked, but he also developed a serious alcohol addiction, lost his job, and we were forced to leave once again. We moved from place to place while I cared for my young children, and his addiction continued to create financial hardship for our family. Eventually, someone generously allowed us to live in the wooden house where we remain today, but my partner also left us, and I am now solely responsible for raising my six children. Our home is very old and in extremely poor condition. The walls have holes that allow wind and rain to enter, damaging our belongings whenever it storms. We also live in a dangerous area, and I constantly fear that the house could collapse because it was built on tires placed over unstable ground. The foundation has shifted over time, causing cracks in the floor, and part of my daughter's bedroom was once torn away by strong winds. The neighboring house is built in the same way, and as its foundation continues to move, it places additional pressure on the wall of our home, increasing the risk of structural failure. My greatest wish is to provide my children with a safe, stable, and dignified home where they can grow up without fear and have the opportunity for a better future. Despite every hardship we have faced, I have never stopped fighting for my children, and with God's help, I will continue to do so. Thank you sincerely for taking the time to read our story and for considering our application. May God richly bless you and continue to strengthen the life-changing work you do for families like ours.

Alonso Orea - Lutheran Church of Hope (Green Team)

Alonso Orea

Date Build: Saturday 8th - Sunday 9th, Aug 2026

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Ancelma

Age: 55 years old

FATHER: Teodora

Age: 58 years old

Job: Construction worker

Salary weekly: $228 US

CHILDREN:

Adrian - 15 years old

Gabriel - 12 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope, with great respect, I would like to share our family's story and thank you for the opportunity to be considered by your program. We are a low-income family that moved to Rosarito ten years ago in search of better opportunities and a brighter future. Although our journey has been filled with many challenges, through perseverance, hard work, and God's grace we have gradually been able to move forward. Five years ago, we were blessed with the opportunity to purchase a piece of land, but doing so required us to use all of our savings, making it very difficult to continue paying rent. Thanks to the generosity of our neighbors, who donated wooden pallets, lumber, and metal sheets, we were able to build two small rooms and a bathroom. However, the structure is very fragile, allowing rainwater and strong winds inside, which frequently damages our belongings. My wife has a hearing impairment that significantly affects her daily life. We also have two sons: one is currently attending middle school, while the other had to leave his studies in order to help our family by accompanying his mother to her medical appointments and assisting with household responsibilities. Our greatest hope is to have a safe, sturdy, and dignified home where our family can live with security and peace of mind. Receiving a home would greatly improve our quality of life and give us renewed hope for the future. We sincerely thank you for taking the time to read our story and for considering our application. May God continue to bless you abundantly and strengthen the wonderful work you do for families in need.

Arreola Sanchez - Lutheran Church of Hope (Blue Team)

Arreola Sanchez

Date Build: Saturday 8th - Sunday 9th, July 2026

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER:Nancy

Age: 31 years old

Job: Factory worker

Salary weekly: $120 US

CHILDREN:

Christopher - 12 years old

Kevin - 11 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope, I am the youngest of three siblings, and my family has lived in Rosarito for many years. At the age of 18, while I was finishing high school, I decided to start a family with the father of my two sons. That same year, Christofer was born, and the following year, Kevin was born. I had many dreams for our future together, but over time my former partner became involved with drug addiction. At that time, I was selling secondhand clothing at a local market, and in the hope of helping him overcome his addiction, we moved to a different home. Later, I found a job at a factory to earn a better income and support his rehabilitation, but despite my efforts, he was unwilling to make the necessary changes. When my sons were only five and six years old, I made the difficult decision to separate from him. Afterward, I rented a house, and my mother moved in with us to help care for my children while I worked. Although I tried to maintain a relationship between my children and their father, he completely abandoned his responsibilities after leaving our home. Since then, I have been solely responsible for raising and providing for my sons. It has not been easy, but with God's help we have continued moving forward. My son Kevin suffers from severe allergies and chronic dry skin, requiring ongoing medical care and attention. My mother now lives with my older brother, whose home is next to the piece of land I was able to purchase, but she continues to help care for my children while I am at work. The company where I work has experienced production problems, and many weeks we do not receive our full wages, making it impossible for me to purchase construction materials for our home. Although we currently do not pay rent, I must spend part of my limited income repairing the house because rainwater leaks inside during storms. The rooms are very small, and my two children and I share a single bed. We are a Catholic family, and every Sunday we attend Mass together. I work hard to teach my children strong values, responsibility, and respect, and they are both excellent students with very good grades. My greatest hope is to provide them with a safe, stable, and dignified home where they can continue growing and pursuing a better future. Thank you sincerely for taking the time to read my story and for considering our application. May God continue to bless you and strengthen the wonderful work you do for families like ours.

Haro Becerra - Building Foundations (Orange Team)

Haro Becerra

Date Build: Saturday 8th - Sunday 9th, Aug 2026

FAMILY INFORMATION

MOTHER: Reyna

Age: 21 years old

Job: Fleamarket seller

Salary weekly: $116 US

CHILDREN:

Astrid - 2 years old

LETTER FROM THE FAMILY:

Dear Homes of Hope, writing this letter is not easy, but I believe the time has come to open my heart and share the story that has shaped both my life and my daughter's. From a very young age, my life changed completely when my parents separated, forcing me to grow up quickly and face difficult circumstances at an early age. I remember helping my mother sell marshmallow pops and homemade desserts in local parks to support our family. At the age of 16, I asked my mother for permission to work. Although she was hesitant at first, she eventually agreed, and I found a job at a beauty salon doing manicures. Later, after we moved to a new home, I had to resign and found another opportunity as a cashier. Within two months, I earned a permanent position, and I was proud to help with our household expenses. Some time later, I met a young man online, and I truly believed I had found the person with whom I would build my future. I fell deeply in love and dreamed of starting a family, but when I told him I was pregnant, his reaction was not what I had hoped for, as he was not ready to accept that responsibility. During that difficult time, a friend invited me to move to San Quintín, and I accepted because I felt that staying in Tijuana would only deepen my sadness. Thankfully, my pregnancy was healthy, and while I was there, I supported myself by baking and selling cookies and cupcakes. On December 13, my daughter was born, the greatest blessing God has given me. A few weeks later, I returned to Tijuana to live with my aunt, who encouraged me to sell secondhand clothing so I could continue providing for my daughter. Later, my mother and I decided to purchase a piece of land, and through great effort we saved enough for the down payment, taking an important step toward owning a home. I currently live with my grandmother, but we also share the house with my uncle and other relatives who recently moved in, and our home has become overcrowded. I believe it is time for my daughter and me to have a place of our own while also giving my family the space they need. Thank you sincerely for taking the time to read my story and for considering my application. I will continue working hard and doing everything I can to provide my daughter with a better future, trusting that through perseverance, hard work, and God's guidance, we will overcome every challenge. With respect, gratitude, and hope.