“Wherever there is injustice, you will find us. Wherever there is suffering, we'll be there. Wherever liberty is threatened, you will find…The Three Amigos!” So maybe Habitat for Humanity’s Three Amigos aren’t fighting bandits in the Mexican desert, but to our Superintendents, partner families and volunteers they’ve helped over the years, they’re every bit as heroic as the fictional characters in the popular comedy. Mark Gabler, Koji Kasuyama ...

John Zawis, a 29-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, father of two and grandfather of five, spends nearly every Saturday on a Habitat job site. He is what the construction superintendents affectionately refer to as a “regular.” John’s first project was in 2008 at Foundation Lane in El Cajon, where he was drawn to the Habitat mission and the fact that homeowners take such an active role in their future.  “I was intrigued by the idea of offering a hand-up and that the ...

Andrew and Amy Lathrop live with their 2 ½ year-old daughter in Oceanside.  A Habitat home usually takes up to a year to construct, but the Lathrop’s home was built in five days during the 2011 Home Builders Blitz.  During their sweat equity process, they learned new skills about home building and maintenance, including how to use a myriad of power tools, how the plumbing systems work and how to climb – and get down from – “a really tall ladder”.&nb...

Janette is raising her three beautiful nieces in their Habitat home in National City.  She had the opportunity to see some of the homes in her community that were already being constructed when she discovered the Habitat program and fell in love with them instantly.  She loved working with the Habitat staff and volunteers through the homebuying and sweat equity process.  She felt like everyone was rooting for her success, a sentiment she didn’t expect and deeply appreciates....

When Raul and Flora Mendez discovered Habitat’s program, they thought it was too good to be true. Now, Raul and Flora own a successful upholstery business and their eldest son, who was only 11 years old when they purchased their home in Escondido 2003, is planning to attend medical school so that he can work in communities and countries that desperately need help.  They say that their Habitat home has been instrumental is shaping their success and their “pay it forward” at...