Vicki Hatfield (inside door on left) observes as the Mena Family poses for a picture for Greater Nshua Habitat for Humanity. Photo by Marie A. Matthews.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Mena Family was one of the first two families selected to partner with Habitat for Humanity in the construction of a home after the organization of the Nashua affiliate

Nashua - When the Mena Family first found out about Habitat for Humanity’s 0% Interest Mortgage they were a bit skeptical: Elizabeth Mena says that Habitat for Humanity seemed like “an unbelievable blessing.”  She remembers having many doubts.  “When we met the Habitat for Humanity team everything sounded so great…”  Elizabeth laughs as she looks back: “as typical Colombians, we felt it was too good to be true!”

The Mena Family celebrated the 10^th anniversary of their partnership with Habitat for Humanity this past March.  They are now half-way through a mortgage that helped finance the home they built together with other Habitat for Humanity volunteers. 

Habitat for Humanity has had a Nashua affiliate since December 1, 1994 and it initially focused on small projects such as home repairs.  The Menas were among the first two Nashua families to build an entire home with Habitat for Humanity; the two families shared a duplex on Tolles Street.  

Vicki Hatfield, a member of Habitat’s Family Selection Committee remembers how the Mena’s were chosen among a pool of applicants. “The Tolles Street project was our first. We had three qualified applicants for two homes. The Menas were our absolute first choice.  When we were selecting families they were living with other family members and their two daughters had a closet as their bedroom.”  Vicki feels that the Mena family has been a successful partner with Habitat for a number of reasons: “They were very enthusiastic; both adults, along with their 15 year old son, were at the job site almost every weekend. Prior to applying for a Habitat home they had been trying to buy a house at auction on Tolles Street. They were outbid at the auction.” 

One of the most important successes in the Menas’ experience is their sense of belonging and citizenship in Nashua.  Elizabeth and Luis both feel rooted in Nashua now.  They are also happy with the relationship their neighborhood has established with the City of Nashua.  Luis points out that “the police patrol and work well with the community.  The police know those who live in the area.  It has given us a great sense of safety and belonging.”  They credit home ownership as a contributing factor in their sense of belonging and concern for the welfare of the French Hill neighborhood.

The home ownership experience the Mena family has had, particularly their strengthened sense of community, echoes a point made by Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity President Jerry Harrow recently.  “At Habitat for Humanity we observe first-hand the benefits when a neighborhood is populated with home-owners, regardless of their income level.  Home-owners are more invested in their community, and are more likely to volunteer in civic and political activities.  There is also a strong correlation between owner-occupied homes and reduced levels of crime.”   

The Mena’s have remodeled their home in recent years and anticipate living in their home for many more years to come.

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.  Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need.

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If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Vicki Hatfield or the Mena Family, please call Ed Lopez at 603-883-0295 or email Ed at ed.lopez@nashabitat.org.  Photography should be credited to Marie A. Matthews.  For further photography details, please contact Marie at marie.matthews@nashabitat.org.  For further details on the Mena family and their 10 year partnership with Habitat for Humanity, please visit www.nashabitat.org/2009/05/12/mena-family-celebrates-10th-year-of-partnership-with-gnhfh/.

Tags: Anniversary, City of Nashua, Ed Lopez, Elizabeth Mena, French Hill, Jerry Harrow, Luis Mena, Mena Family, Nashua, Press Release, Tolles Street, Vicki Hatfield

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