Local veteran and family given mortgage-free home
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IDAHO FALLS – A local veteran and his family have the chance at a new, stable life through a military support program.
Military Warriors Support Foundation has given Jorge Garcia, a medically retired veteran, a mortgage-free home. The San Antonio-based foundation has given homes to more than 700 families.
“They can paint it, they can make it their own, garden, all of those things, and it’s really amazing for them,” said Kandace Lee, financial mentor for military warriors support foundation.
Garcia and his family applied for a home in Idaho Falls while they were living in Orange County, California.
“If they are selected for their home they would be awarded it, and then they go through three years of financial mentorship,” Lee said. “We help them learn how to be homeowners, get them on a budget, help them to save money and pay down debt.”
Lee said the receiving family holds ownership of the home but will receive the deed once the three-year program is complete.
“We know that it’s better than anything else. It’s beautiful from some pictures that we’ve seen,” Garcia’s wife, Ramona Ivan, said before they saw the house.
Ivan said they knew they qualified for the home two to three months ago, but seeing the home first-hand was a total surprise.
She said she is excited for her family and kids to have a routine, and more consistency in their everyday life.
“I’m expressing the happiness of all our family,” Ivan said.
Another local veteran, Carlos Lugo, and his wife recently completed the program. They said having their ownership of their home was one less thing they had to worry about.
“To see another family go through it is heartwarming,” Lugo said
A local bank donated the home Garcia’s family is living in to the Military Warrior Support Foundation. The foundation then donated the home to the family.
“We’re so thankful for them, thankful for their sacrifice, every single one of our families has sacrificed, so to be able to give them something back is really important to us,” Lee said.
To know more about how to apply for the Homes for Wounded Heroes program go to MilitaryWarriors.org.