My name is April Laijas. I was born and raised in Galveston County. I am a dedicated and hard-working single mother to two smart and beautiful daughters. My daughters are both heavily involved in their school and community. A few of the activities and organizations they participate in are band, cheer, student council, National Honor Society, prom committee, dual credit classes, dual language classes, and the Boys and Girls club. I have always tried my best to provide for them no matter the circumstances. Despite my best efforts thus far, I haven’t been able to provide a permanent safe home for them. We have been bouncing around from place to place, whether it was due to an unsafe neighborhood, the rent was too high, or the location was out of our way. We also stayed with family members for a period of time. Although we were very grateful for the invite, there was not a lot of room for comfort, privacy, or a space to call our own. Seven people and a dog under one roof can get cramped and become tiring.
I am constantly thinking of my future and what avenues I could take to get me to the future I envision, not just for me, but for my children as well. I remember vividly the day I applied for a home with Bay Area Habitat for Humanity. I was speaking with a close friend of mine about our aspirations of buying a house and what it would take for us to make it a reality. She mentioned Habitat for Humanity, but I dismissed the idea because I didn’t think I would be eligible or chosen to get a house. She was the one who encouraged me and talked me into applying. She said that my family and our situation is exactly the type of family this program is for. I feel that she was a big part of us being able to get this house and being here now. She will always be remembered.
Being a first-time homeowner and getting to this point for my family and I is a dream come true!! I am beyond excited to start making memories with my girls that we will cherish for years to come. This wouldn’t have been possible without Bay Area Habitat for Humanity and all of its wonderful staff, generous sponsors, and hard-working volunteers. I commend Bay Area Habitat for Humanity for the incredible work they do in helping families and enriching the community. It is truly life changing, and thank you would never be enough!!