Habitat homeowner children positively impacted by new homes

Juan and his wife Sandra said they clearly remember the day they walked over the threshold of their newly-purchased Springfield home. For them, and the many other families who are positively impacted by Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity (GSHFH), it was a turning point.

Melanie (left) and her older sister Saily pose outside their parents Springfield home.

“When we first opened the door, the girls rolled across the carpets with impeccable smiles,” said Juan. “Then, Saily ran to choose her room and Melanie kept going up and down the stairs in different ways.”

That was 15 years ago. Today, Saily is a 26-year-old paramedic whose goal is to become a flight medic. Melanie, 21, is a junior at Westfield State University studying criminal justice.

Juan and Sandra said they realize the girls’ achievements may not have been possible without Greater Springfield Habitat. Before purchasing the three-bedroom colonial in the city’s Upper Hill neighborhood, the family lived in an uncomfortable apartment with many limitations, including a play area for the girls. As much Juan and Sandra tried to meet their emotional needs by giving the girls attention, care, and the love they needed, the girls still struggled. Particularly with their self-esteem, and feelings of stability and security.

That changed when the family moved into their new home.

“The girls looked more excited and happier. They could enjoy a good backyard and each had their own personal space to study; this was very meaningful to them. They also began to enjoy time with friends and this helped them a lot in their social lives,” Juan said. “I think that the Habitat for Humanity program has been a very important basis in the growth and stability of our daughters. I understand that we would not have been able to achieve it without them.”

Single mother and GSHFH homeowner Marielis agreed. She, like Juan and Sandra, said she has seen a significant change in her children since she purchased their North End, Springfield, home in summer 2020.

“Owning a home through Habitat is very important to me because it gave me an opportunity to grow, provide, and establish a home for my kids,” she said. “Before I became a homeowner, I lived in a two-bedroom apartment without a backyard. My kids were not happy.”

Now is a different story. Marielis said her children have a backyard to play in and their own rooms. When the family moved in, Angelis, who was 8, said she played with her Barbies in her room and with her friends, she made “snow” angels on the plush living room area rug. She wanted to become an oncologist and cure cancer. Now at 13, her career aspirations remain the same. Her 8-year-old brother, Castiel, wants to become a cop.

“If it wasn’t for Habitat, I would still live in an apartment and my kids probably would still be uncomfortable,” Marielis said.

It should be of no surprise that children growing up in stable homes are likely to perform better in schools. In fact, according to a Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) brief published in September 2024, children growing up in poor-quality housing experience are more likely to experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, and aggression from elementary school through young adulthood when compared with children in higher-quality housing.

Furthermore, homeownership leads to better test scores and higher rates of high school graduation and college attendance, especially among children of low-income homeowners. HFHI research shows stable households are crucial for child development, with children of low-income homeowners being 11% more likely to graduate high school and 4.5% more likely to pursue higher education than their peers in rental housing, according to an HFHI Evidence Brief published in November 2020.

Johnniel just might embody the HFHI research. When he was 15 years old, his parents purchased a Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity bungalow in the Forest Park neighborhood of Springfield.

Prior to his parents buying the Habitat house, Johnniel said he remembers growing up in rough Springfield neighborhoods. But, his parents were determined to keep Johnniel and his siblings safe in a stable and loving environment. Johnniel said his parents signed him up for sports and he played year-round baseball or basketball.

After his parents were selected for the Habitat house, Johnniel helped them with completing the required sweat equity hours. He also assisted his aunt and a family friend with the sweat equity hours for their Habitat houses. He enjoyed the work and studied it at Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technology High School, before it became an academy. Upon graduation, Johnniel worked in the carpentry trade, but at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, he switched gears and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. These days, Johnniel is in his early 30s and is a project manager at Palmer Paving Group in Springfield.

“I think living in a Habitat house inspired me to keep pushing forward,” he said. “If my parents can put in the time and effort to finally own a house of their own, I can achieve the goals I have as well.”