A Thanksgiving homecoming

Photos by IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers MAGIC MOMENT—Gabbie Siletti, with daughter Brianna, 14, and son Donovan, 10, cut the ribbon on their brand-new Habitat for Humanity house at Royal and Sequoia avenues on Sunday. Also helping was daughter Milinda Ovieda, 7. Gabriella Silletti feels like she is living in a fairy tale, one that began Aug. 29, 2007.

That was the day she found out she was chosen to receive a home from Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County, an affiliate of the international nonprofit that makes homeownership a reality for lowincome families.

But even a year later, cutting the yellow ribbon off the door of her home with a giant pair of scissors that look like they were made for a storybook ending, she still can't believe what is right before her eyes, what she helped to build.

"It's amazing," Silletti said after Saturday's dedication ceremony. "I can't believe that we are here because I think we're still dreaming."

Some were not sure that day would come, either—at least in time for Thanksgiving.

HAPPY HOMEOWNER—City Councilmember Steve Sojka, left, congratulates new homeowner Randi Rube during the ceremony. Years ago, Rube's and Sojka's children played Simi Valley youth baseball and Viking football together. After a theft Nov. 10 at the Simi site at Royal and Sequoia avenues—which left the organization without $10,000 worth of critically needed tools—Habitat officials were readying themselves to postpone the longawaited dedication.

But the community stepped in to save the day, offering donations, tools and muscle power to get the job done in time for the holidays.

In the two days after news of the theft was made public, Habitat received more than 400 calls and emails from people wanting to help, HFHVC development director Suzzi Crouch said.

"People were saying, 'We want to help the moms,'" she said. "The community had an emotional attachment to the moms, not only Habitat."

The largest donation Habitat received was from the L.A.-based corporate office of Farmers Insurance, which wrote a check for $15,000 to replace the tools.

The company also provided each of the single mothers with free homeowners insurance for a year.

"It really took an aggressive donation like that to give Habitat the ability to really know that we are back on track, and they didn't just ante up the money—they gave the muscle power," Crouch said, referring to the team of more than 100 volunteers Farmers Insurance sent to the site Nov. 20.

In the end, Silletti and her fellow Habitat home recipients Laura Aguilera and Randi Rube said the months of hard work and even the setbacks were worth the reward. Each expressed thanks for the community and volunteers that supported them through it all.

"I'm feeling overwhelmed with happiness," Rube said. "It's hard to explain, but if you could picture my heart it would be like a big balloon of a heart, it's so happy."

Coincidentally, each Simi mother has three children—all nine of whom can't wait to move into and decorate their new rooms.

"My kids are so happy right now," Aguilera said.

The three-bedroom, two-bath homes are 1,100 square feet with a small backyard—a great improvement over the cramped apartment quarters each family was previously living in.

A common area and a shared driveway out front connect the modest homes as well as the neighbors, who have become close while putting in their 500 hours of sweat equity.

During the dedication ceremony, the families received their first housewarming gifts: handmade quilts from the Simi Valley Quilt Guild and a Bible from Habitat.

With the significance of the day weighing upon her, Rube reflected on her journey to homeownership.

"I have seen my children want for things and have seen the disappointment on their faces, and I think, if I could only give them the childhood that I had, I would be the happiest parent on earth," she told the crowd gathered in front of her new home.

"But because of Habitat for Humanity, I will be able to do this for my family," she continued. "I will be able to have a savings for their future, room to grow and a home that's ours."

Still, Rube said she is not the only one who's life has been changed, saying that Habitat has given her 91-year-old father peace because he no longer has to worry about his daughter and grandkids.

There were still a few remaining projects to complete this week before the city could issue a certificate of occupancy and the families could move in, including hooking up gas and electric. Tuesday's rain put a delay on the progress, and Crouch couldn't say for sure if the families would have Thanksgiving dinner in their new homes.

But one thing is sure: Once they are in, they are there for good.

"I plan on staying here forever," Rube said.

For more information on Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County, visit www.habitatventura.org or call (805) 485-6065.