SAN ANTONIO – An army of volunteers showed up Thursday at the intersection of Glendale Avenue and Hopeful Path to build new homes for Habitat for Humanity.
"We have the opportunity to do something special here. I think we've done that today," said Tony Valdez, a Habitat for Humanity volunteer.
Valdez was one of 150 volunteers. Their goal was to help Habitat for Humanity and the San Antonio Housing Authority build affordable housing for people in need.
"We're changing lives," Valdez said. “If we afford somebody the opportunity to move in to a brand new home, freshly built by strong hands, I think that's a success."
Blanca Salazar, assistant vice president of family services at Habitat for Humanity, said she grew up poor and understands what it's like to struggle.
"I wish my parents knew about a program like this. They were always working. (We were) always on our own, almost," Salazar said.
Salazar teamed up with San Antonio Housing Authority communications director Rosario Neaves to steer Friday’s efforts toward an extraordinary output. By the end of the day, volunteers had raised walls for five homes. Neaves hopes the walls raised for these new homes will tear down walls of another kind.
"We're talking about walls of poverty, we're talking about people who are struggling to make ends meet, to get food on the table," Neaves said.
Neaves said the homes should be ready for move in around mid-November.