April 22, 2016 - Cardinal O’Malley to Attend Dedication of New Habitat Homes in Roxbury

WHAT: On Saturday, April 23, Cardinal Sean O’Malley will join Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston as it dedicates two homes in Roxbury. Two low-income families contributed 300 hours of “sweat equity” building these homes alongside volunteers and donors from Boston-area companies, schools and faith communities. 

In addition to the dedication and blessing of the homes, the event will include tours of the homes, a brief speaking program, and light refreshments. Both families will be available for media comments. 

A highlight of these homes is the solar energy system. On Friday, April 22, Mayor Walsh will present Habitat Greater Boston with the 2016 Greenovate Boston Award for building energy-efficient homes.

These homes were made possible in part by an anonymous donor who donated $60,000 to 50 Habitat affiliates across the U.S., including Habitat Greater Boston, to encourage Habitat affiliates to engage Roman Catholic institutions around the Habitat mission. Inspired by the new Pope, the donor also requested the homes be dedicated in honor of Pope Francis and his commitment to social justice.

WHEN: Saturday, April 23, 10:00 – 10:30 a.m.      

WHERE: 38 Woodbine Street, Roxbury, MA

Details about the families are included below.

About Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston

Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston is a charitable nonprofit organization dedicated to building homes by forming partnerships with low-income families in need of decent and affordable housing. Habitat Greater Boston received a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator, awarded to nonprofits for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. For 30 years, Habitat Greater Boston has been helping hundreds of local families improve their lives. Habitat Greater Boston believes homeownership is a vital step to help families break the cycle of poverty and it is a linchpin to neighborhood revitalization. For more information, please visit www.habitatboston.org.

Media Contact: Theresa Lakin, Director of External Relations, 617-423-2223, ext. 24, [email protected]

The New Homeowners

Rufino and Niulka Martinez are the proud parents of Zuriel, who will be 3 in May, and 18-month-old Ruby. Currently living in one bedroom in Niulka’s parents’ home in Dorchester, Rufino and Niulka were selected for the Habitat program in December, 2014. They worked on their home all winter and they are thrilled to be moving in this spring. Rufino and Niulka met in the Dominican Republic where Rufino was co-pastor of a church. Niulka is a Patient Services Representative at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

Marleny De Los Santos moved to the United States from the Dominican Republic as a teenager in search of the American Dream. She is the Operations Manager for the Causeway Street branch of Santander Bank and she and her 2 daughters live in a subsidized rental unit in East Boston. Marleny has worked hard—and lost 18 pounds in the process—to build this home for her two daughters, Emily, 13, who attends Boston Latin Academy, and Irene, 6.