Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver is proud to introduce LeRoy and his three children. LeRoy currently works as a medical equipment assembler at Gambro BCT. He also works part-time as a Family Enrichment Coordinator with the Interfaith Hospital Network, an organization that helped his family transition from homelessness several years ago.

When speaking of this chance for homeownership, LeRoy states that it will totally change his life and the lives of his children. Several years ago he and his family were homeless, and to be able to transition to owning a home is an amazing thing. He no longer has to worry about becoming homeless again. He notes with a smile that he is excited about having "a place that's going to be our own."

The children are all looking forward to having their own home - especially having more space in a nice area. The whole family is glad to be moving to a safer neighborhood, and to a home that is not rundown and in need of repair.

Just four years ago, LeRoy and his family were homeless. They were constantly moving between homeless shelters and motels, unable to find an affordable place to call home that provided a permanent solution to their situation. Even with LeRoy working full time, his income did not afford them many options in an expensive housing market.

After staying in a shelter for three months, they moved into a transitional housing program. Just as they seemed to have achieved some semblance of stability, tragedy struck. The family watched helplessly as their apartment caught fire, and they lost most of their possessions.

Though his circumstances seemed bleak, LeRoy did not give up hope. After learning about Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver's homeownership program, LeRoy knew that this was the opportunity that could truly make a lasting difference for his family. He says, "when I got the call that I had been accepted to Habitat's homeownership program I almost fell over. I was so excited for this new beginning for my family."

After spending a year fulfilling several hundred sweat equity hours by working on the construction site, attending home maintenance and money management workshops, and saving for his down payment, LeRoy is now a proud homeowner.

LeRoy is incredibly grateful to the volunteers and donors that have given his familiy an opporunity for a brigher future. He is committed to providing the same opporunities to other families by volunteering as a board member of the Inter-Faith Hospitality Network. He and his children volunteer there regularly and his children were recently honored with the Alameda West Kiwanis Club's "Extraordinary Ordinary Award" for their volunteer achievement.

The home was sponsored by Habitat on the Hill, an interfaith coalition of ten Denver congregations committed to building houses in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver. LeRoy wanted to send the following message to the home sponsor: "Thank you so much for sponsoring my family and me!"