Danielle has worked at Vons for over 12 years, where she takes great pride in delivering excellent customer service. But outside of work, her greatest joy is being a mom to her energetic and curious son, Johnny.
Currently, the two share a single rented room in a home with 11 other people. It’s an overcrowded and limiting space where they lack privacy and access to basic parts of the house. Their daily lives include long commutes to work and school, driven by the high cost of living in San Diego County. But soon, all of that will change.
Danielle and Johnny will be moving into a safe, stable, and affordable home of their own—right in the heart of Oceanside, the same community where Danielle was raised and where three generations of her family have lived. For Danielle, becoming a Habitat homeowner marks a deeply personal milestone: she will be the first in her family, including her siblings and parents, to own a home.
“It means the world to me to give my son what I never had—a space to grow, to study, to feel secure,” she shares. “This is the foundation for our future. Homeownership will give me the stability to continue my education and grow in my career.”
Danielle recently completed a retail management certificate from Cerritos College and plans to pursue her associate degree next. Her professional dream is to continue advancing in grocery retail, with aspirations of becoming a district manager in Southern California.
For Johnny, who loves video games, baseball, and chess, the move means having his own space to study and play. Danielle believes the stability of homeownership will help him thrive in school and beyond. “My hope is that he continues to be kind, to persevere through challenges, and always put God first,” she says.
Their journey hasn’t been easy—Danielle experienced homelessness at a young age and has worked hard for over a decade to rebuild her credit and financial stability. Being selected for a Habitat home left her in disbelief. “This is something I’ve been praying for,” she says. “It’s truly life-changing.”
Despite busy schedules, Danielle and Johnny cherish time spent together—often bonding over meals and their favorite shows. They describe themselves as close-knit, humorous, and full of heart.
With their future Habitat home, they’re most excited about the simple joys: peace of mind, a safe space, and the opportunity to finally build a future rooted in security and love.
