Mercedes Gomez and Hermenegildo Castillo’s dream of home ownership in Southwood has come true, having moved into their brand new energy- efficient home in the rebuilding community’s first new village. The Gomez Castillo family has lived in Southwood for fifteen years. Their daughter Giselle, 10, attends Mountain View Elementary, and son,16, attends Monticello High School; both were born in Southwood. And while leaving their trailer behind with so many memories was bittersweet, Gomez said, “we will be better [off] in our new home…especially when it’s bad weather.” As part of the resident design team for the neighborhood master plan as well as for their own new village site plan, they learned many things, including a lot about the work that engineers and architects have to do. It’s not a task they took lightly. “It’s a big responsibility,” said Mercedes. “Sometimes I was tired because of work or personal things. But I felt accountable for the responsibility of designing something for my neighbors.” The entire family feels joyful because their dream is becoming real now. As new homeowners and as designers of the community, they feel especially invested in its success. In fact, Mercedes’ proposed street name for a section of the neighborhood – Dream Lane – was adopted by Southwood via a community-wide vote. “This is a way to say to people our dream can become real,” she reflected. “It will be there – forever.”
Impact Story – Building Hope
