When Gabriele DeSantis first approached Habitat Hamilton about entering into a partnership to build a home under their model, no one expected the cycle of change that this partnership would start. Now two years later Homes by De Santis is once again stepping forward to make a difference.
Reflecting on what this has meant to the family, the Den Bestin’s commented, “Normal. When your “home” threatens the safety of your family, normal is all you want, normal is finally what we have. Coming home is no longer a source of anxiety; it isn’t even a thought any more. It is simply a welcome part of our everyday life, as it should be.”
In 2012 Homes by De Santis completed a simple four bedroom home calling in his various trades’ people in just under 50 days. Now home to the Den Bestin family who’s five children thrive in the security of a home.
When asked why Homes by De Santis was so passionate about this cause Gabriele DeSantis said, “We at Homes by DeSantis are committed to helping families achieve homeownership, We were proud to be the first builder in Hamilton to join Habitat for Humanity and to come together for this common cause. It’s a great day to celebrate with the Den Besten’s as it has been 2 years since they moved into their brand new home. In continuation of our support of Habitat for Humanity we are pleased to present a cheque for $1000.”
Habitat Hamilton, one of 68 affiliates in Canada, has been in operation since 1991. Our goal is the elimination of poverty housing and homelessness throughout the world, making the provision of a decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Sold to our partner families at market value, with Habitat holding the zero percent mortgages, our program helps families to break the cycle of poverty. Habitat for Humanity invites volunteers to work together in partnership with families in need – providing “a hand up, not a hand out”.
