Rockbridge Area Habitat for Humanity is hosting a Home Dedication Ceremony for three new homeowners on Monday, June 23, at 5 p.m. The homes are located on Spencer Court in Greenhouse Village, Lexington, marking a life-changing milestone for these hardworking, local families and highlighting the power of community support.
The Vasquez family, owners of the Original Italian Restaurant in Buena Vista, balanced the demands of small business ownership with the Habitat homeownership process — including 27 hours of financial education as part of their 400 hours of sweat equity. That’s the equivalent of working fulltime for five weeks each for Norma and Antonio. Antonio Vasquez called the journey “a beautiful experience,” made even more meaningful by the friendships formed along the way.
Their home was made possible thanks to a milestone achievement by the Rockbridge Habitat ReStores, which generated enough net profit in 2023 to fund the construction materials for the entire home. In honor of this, the Vasquez house is officially dedicated to the hardworking ReStore employees and their customers.
Another new homeowner, Callie Melendez, a devoted mother and grandmother, is preparing to move into her very own Habitat home after years of living in an overcrowded apartment. One of the most challenging parts of this family’s journey was completing 400 hours of sweat equity. Melendez and her adult daughter worked side-by-side to complete the required 200 sweat equity hours per adult in the household. Her commitment was extraordinary, especially while managing family responsibilities. “When we finally started working on my house and saw the paperwork, it was such a relief and so worth it,” she said.
Her home will be dedicated in memory of Bob Lera, a longtime volunteer member of Rockbridge Habitat’s Family Partnership Committee. Bob was a partner family mentor and a long-time secretary for the committee. His commitment to making sure the families served by Habitat were supported and encouraged to ask questions made the experience of participating in the building of their homes and their neighbor’s homes a positive life event.
The third home keys will be presented to Daphne Conner, a hardworking single mother who partnered with Habitat to build a safer and more stable future for her daughter. After living in a townhouse in Raphine and feeling concerned about the safety of the area, she was encouraged by a friend to apply for the Habitat program.
The experience also brought lasting friendships and a sense of community. “My daughter has friends in the neighborhood, and I’ve gotten close with my neighbors too. We talk all the time.”
For Conner, one of the most unforgettable moments was seeing her daughter’s joy as they toured the finished home. “Her face just lit up,” she said.
“These stories are a testament to what Habitat builds every day: homes, community, and hope,” said a spokesperson for Habitat.
Rockbridge Area Habitat offers local income-stressed families a hand up, not a handout as it partners with them to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable housing.
To learn more or get involved, visit rockbridgehabitat.org
