Press Releases

Colorado Springs, CO (Dec. 8, 2023) — A local workforce family will celebrate the holiday season in their own home, thanks to Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity and El Paso County churches. Ricardo, Mariela, and their four sons will receive the keys to their brand-new, two-story home at a dedication ceremony Saturday, Dec. 9, at 10:30 a.m. at The Ridge at Sand Creek. Members of the public and local media are invited to join the celebration, and Ricardo and Mariela will be available to speak with media.

The home was constructed as Pikes Peak Habitat’s 2023 Apostles Build. This ecumenical movement brings churches from around El Paso County together to raise walls, funds, and prayers, building a house in partnership with a local family in need of decent, affordable housing.

In keeping with the spirit of the Apostles Build, local Christian leaders—Pastor Raul Quiñones from Centro Mundial de Alabanza and Deacon Gary Darress from St. Michael’s Episcopal Church—will offer prayers and blessings for Ricardo, Mariela, and their family at the home dedication. The U.S. Air Force Academy Gospel Choir will provide musical accompaniment. In addition, the 2024 Apostles Build family, future Pikes Peak Habitat homeowner Bernadette and her children, will be introduced.

“It has been such a joy this year to see Christians from all different denominations come together to support Mariela and Ricardo’s family,” says Chloe Henry, Pikes Peak Habitat Faith in Action program manager. “The Apostles Build is truly a testament to faith in action and the collective power of the Church coming together to support our community.”

Ricardo is a Colorado Springs native. His wife, Mariela, immigrated to the United States from Mexico at age 14. (Pikes Peak Habitat requires homeowners to be U.S. citizens or legal residents.) Even though Ricardo works full-time, their family of six has been living with his parents and brother in a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house. Mariela says they’ve had to make difficult choices about which possessions to keep because they simply don’t have space. One son had to give up baseball because they didn’t have room to store sports equipment. They’ve also sacrificed toys, books, art projects, and even study aids like flash cards.

The parents of four sons—the youngest of whom celebrated his first birthday in November—look forward to having enough room in the new home to spend time together. “As a family, we will be able to do more things and have more family time, like having movie nights, game night, and so much more!” says Mariela. Ricardo wants to “just have a nice family dinner, be able to all sit together.”

Like all Pikes Peak Habitat homeowners, Ricardo and Mariela each invested 200 hours of sweat equity in helping build their home. Working on the construction site also provides a way for them to build relationships with future neighbors before they even move into the community.