George and his wife Kristina, have always shared one goal above all: to provide their daughters, Gina and Rose, with the stability and sense of belonging that every child deserves. That dream is deeply personal for Kristina, who spent most of her life without a room of her own—sleeping on couches and moving frequently after her family lost their home when she was just four years old. Now, thanks to Habitat for Humanity, George and Kristina are creating something they never had growing up: a lasting foundation for their family’s future.
Their path has not been easy. After losing her childhood home when her parents divorced, Kristina made a promise to herself that one day she would give her children the stability she didn’t have. That promise—and her resilience—carried her through challenges like temporary housing, financial hardship, and the emotional toll of supporting loved ones through addiction. Being selected for a Habitat home was an emotional, life-changing moment that still feels surreal.
The family currently lives in Oceanside, sharing a single bedroom in the back of a house with no washer, dryer, or proper kitchen. With limited space and few amenities, even simple tasks like cooking and doing laundry require extra effort. But with their new Habitat home, everything is about to change.
The family is looking forward to the everyday joys that many take for granted: baking in their own oven, doing laundry at home, and hosting birthday parties without needing to borrow someone else’s space. Most of all, Kristina is excited for each member of her family to finally have a room of their own.
Kristina has worked with Oceanside Unified School District since 2009 and currently serves as a health technician at Cesar Chavez Middle School. George has worked for 18 years as a produce clerk manager at Ralphs. They both love what they do—Kristina is passionate about supporting students and dreams of returning to school to become a counselor, while George finds fulfillment in the strong community at his workplace. Homeownership through Habitat will relieve financial stress, allowing them more time and space to pursue their personal and professional goals.
Gina, who is eight years old, shines in dance, art, and Baile Folklórico, and loves to express herself through creative activities. Her younger sister, Rose, is almost two and already shows a love for animals, laughter, and learning. Gina’s ADHD has made it difficult to focus in their current shared space, and Kristina believes having a home with dedicated areas to study and rest will help her daughters flourish.
George and Kristina enjoy trying new places to eat with their girls, attending church, and spending time with their extended family. But it’s the small moments—quiet evenings together, shared meals, and celebrations—that they’re most excited to experience in their new home.
