meet: florencio and zoralda

Florencio and Zoralda have been married for twenty years. They met when Florencio took his car to the mechanic that Zoralda’s brothers worked at. While they were living in California, they took a trip to area to visit family. They loved it here so much that when they were able, they chose to move to Carrboro. Florencio works for Alfredo’s Pizza and Zoralda works for one of the kitchens at UNC. Florencio’s favorite part of the job? “I get to bring home lots of pizza; we never have leftovers for long!”

Before Habitat, the family of six lived in a two-bedroom apartment that is run down and lacks a supportive community. Through the Habitat program, they built a four bedroom, stable and affordable home. The new home gives them enough space for their children to grow in a community of other supportive families. On the weekends the family enjoys going shopping and visiting family in Durham. The two oldest girls enjoy volunteering for various organizations after school including the Orange/Durham Habitat ReStore.

“I started volunteering around the same time my family was applying for a home,” said Karla. “It’s cool to be able to give back to people that are helping me.”

She also volunteers at the animal shelter and hopes to go to vet school one day. Their oldest daughter Angela is interested in chemistry and hopes to study Anthropology at UNC Greensboro next fall.

“We are very thankful for this opportunity to be given the chance to own our own home” said Zoralda.