For Victoria, homeownership represents the fulfillment of a dream years in the making. As a single mother working full-time and preparing to pursue her Master’s in Social Work, Victoria has balanced every challenge with grace and grit, driven by one goal: to create a stable, loving home for her five-year-old son, Andrew.
Victoria currently works at Feeding San Diego, where she has spent the past four years helping to alleviate hunger in underserved communities. Her passion for service extends beyond her day job—she’s applying to graduate school to become a social worker, determined to help others overcome challenges and find their own paths to stability and hope.
Andrew, a joyful and curious preschooler, loves learning about sea creatures—especially octopuses and hammerhead sharks. He’s thriving in school and lights up when visiting the park or museum, climbing jungle gyms, or spending time in the sunshine with his mom and their dog, Chip. He’s at a critical stage of learning and development, and Victoria believes that a safe and permanent home will give him the space and stability he needs to flourish.
Currently, Victoria and Andrew share a bedroom in a small duplex they rent with extended family. The space, while filled with love, is crowded and limiting. Frequent moves have made it difficult to establish routines or create a sense of permanence. For Victoria, the opportunity to own a home is about giving her son the freedom to be himself, without the stress of shared spaces or constant transition.
Their new Habitat home is a life-changing milestone. It offers proximity to Andrew’s future elementary school, Victoria’s workplace, and the support of her sister, who plays a vital role in their lives. With a permanent address, Victoria will be better able to manage school pickups, childcare, and her own education—reducing stress and allowing her to focus on building their future.
Victoria’s journey has been shaped by resilience. As the daughter of immigrants, she grew up facing socioeconomic challenges that taught her to be resourceful, determined, and deeply compassionate. She and her sister are the first in their family to graduate from college, and now, she’s one step closer to becoming a first-time homeowner.
Her greatest accomplishment, she says, is becoming a mother. Andrew has brought joy, clarity, and purpose into her life—and since his arrival, doors have opened and hope has multiplied. Her faith guides her, and the love she pours into her son motivates her to push through every obstacle.
“My family may be small,” Victoria says, “but we care for each other in a big way.” For her, this home is the foundation for a future filled with peace, possibility, and the kind of security every child deserves.
