Daniel Valdez, his wife Ana, and their five children became Habitat homeowners in Silverton earlier this year. Daniel, who has worked for Xerox for more than a decade, and Ana lived in a three-bedroom apartment where overcrowding was a serious issue for their five children. The couple took great pride and worked hard to make their small apartment a home for their family but the truth was that they struggled to maintain a feeling of safety and security in a neighborhood known for its gang activity.

Eight-year old Caleb, Daniel and Ana's youngest child, suffers from autism. In Caleb's earlier years, the family struggled to find a diagnosis for his condition, battling language barriers and immense frustration. Dealing with Caleb's autism gets easier each year as Daniel and Ana learn more and become better skilled at handling their son's unpredictable outbursts that can be common for an autistic child.

Unable to access a conventional home loan, Daniel and Ana turned to NWV Habitat. In a Habitat house they are now able to provide their family with the space they need to thrive. They are able to devote their full energy to Caleb and his development so that he can live a healthy and happy life. With the help of Habitat supporters, the Diaz family realized their dream of owning their own home and becoming part of the Habitat family.