“We are the Rivera family and we have survived a grave tragedy: our home burned to the ground on January 10, 2009 due to an unknown gas leak in the kitchen. This had been our home for 17 years where we raised our 2 grown children and were still raising our 12 year old daughter and 6 year old granddaughter. The four of us living in the home have lost everything, including our dog. Our two grown children have lost the peace and comfort of ever going to their childhood home again. However, we are all safe and that is what we are most grateful for. With continued hope, we will find our way through this tragedy together.”
Mr. Rivera has worked devotedly for his community as an AISD custodian for 13 years and for Camden apartments for 6 years. Unfortunately, his home insurance had lapsed and he was in the process of getting it reinstated when the fire occurred. Therefore, he and his family are fully liable for the rest of their mortgage and will not receive any help or insurance money towards rebuilding.
A group of community members are committed to helping the Rivera’s build their house. Most of the labor will be volunteer (including the Riveras and their friends), and as much of the materials as possible will be donated or discounted. We are estimating that a duplex can be built on the property for $100,000. By building a duplex, we can provide the Riveras with a way to continue paying on their current mortgage and have a stream of future income.
The Riveras will also pay back into a fund to help future housing needs in the St. John area. Using income produced from renting one side of the duplex, the Riveras will be able to “pay it forward” to fund other housing improvement projects through the St. John Development Project with Austin Bridge Builders Alliance.
God has already supplied generously with Dalgleish Construction Company as the general contractor, willing to supervise and coordinate construction. We are looking to begin building in September with a December completion date, depending on the speed with which we can obtain donations to the effort.
Please consider being part of the team that will build “The House That Love Built,” through finances, labor or both!
To learn more about how you can make a tax-deductible contribution through the Austin Bridge Builders Alliance (a registered 501(c)3 non-profit) toward rebuilding the Rivera house and investing in other future housing development needs in the St. John community through the St. John Development Fund, click here.
