Deborah Forbes

Deborah Forbes

Deborah is not only a success story for Lubbock, but the nation as a whole. Deborah was witness to the devastating events of Hurricane Katrina in 2006. The great storm left her homeless and she had nowhere to turn. Her journey to Lubbock started out somewhat rocky. Deborah can still look back and remember how shaky the plane ride to Texas was. She remembers the not so friendly faces of the Texas Sheriff Officers with holstered weapons. Deborah was a refugee in her own country. Like the rest of the people affected by Katrina, Deborah was sent to a temporary living facility where she was given aid. It was very difficult to secure living and employment in a place she knew nothing about. Being from New Orleans, in many ways West Texas appeared no different than the old west she had seen in movies. It was at this point Habitat for Humanity stepped in to offer their assistance. Deborah quickly found a job, and is still employed at the same place today. Her house from Habitat for Humanity, is often called one of the best maintained in the community. Deborah is living proof that losing everything will truly make you cherish what you have. She now also knows the satisfaction of giving back to her community. While she may not have much because she is still rebuilding her life, Deborah gives back what little she has. Although Louisiana was once her home, Deborah is thankful for the life she now lives in Texas and thankful for the aid she received from Habitat for Humanity.

Ralph Rosiles

Ralph Rosiles and his family

Ralph and his wife Bertie have been a part of the Habitat for Humanity family for about 10 years. In 2001, Ralph was employed as a social worker for the city of Lubbock. The couple knew that they wanted to have children but also knew it would be nearly impossible to raise them under their current living situation. Ralph and Bertie lived in an efficiency apartment, barely making ends meet. The couple quickly faced a second obstacle. Once they decided to have children, one parent needed to stay home in order to care for them. This strained the family financially since the family could not be supported by the income of only one parent. It was clear that something needed to be done. Ralph heard about Habitat for Humanity and decided to apply for a home. The family met the qualifications and were well on their way to owning their first home. Owning a home at an affordable cost made it easy for Ralph to stay home and care for the children and eventually return to school to obtain a degree. Ralph is now the Director of Career Services at Kaplan College and it is now Bertie’s turn to return to school. The family is flourishing in their new home. Habitat for Humanity created a solid foundation for this family where their dreams could be nourished.

Reta Green

Reta Green and her six children

Reta was a hard working single mother who gave nearly everything to attend to the needs of her six children. She raised her children knowing that with love and aspiration, anything is possible. Reta knows what it is like to grow up with next to nothing and still remembers the days when she had to scratch to make ends meet. For this reason, she has fostered a sense of integrity in her children that has already taken root. Reta saw an opportunity for her family when she applied for a home with Habitat for Humanity. She saw the chance to have a little something to call her own; a place where she could rear her children with integrity. The family has done tremendously well in their new residence. Reta’s oldest child Lydia is now a freshman at Texas Tech University. She is able to afford such a wonderful opportunity because of the opportunity her mother was first given. It is evident that the rest of the children desire to follow in their sister’s footsteps. For Reta, Habitat for Humanity has already had a generational impact.

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