Sandia Labs has been a great partner for nearly two decades. This is the 16th home in Albuquerque in which Sandia has been involved, with both cash and construction.
“We’ve invested $40,000 in corporate contributions and about 200 volunteers into this year’s project,” says Katrina Wagner, community relations specialist with Sandia’s Community Involvement Department. “Sandia employees love volunteering and are always excited to build with Habitat for Humanity.”
The home is a Godsend to Nadine, who is currently helping to build her house and is excited to become a first time home buyer when her home is completed in 2020. “This is so surreal,” says Nadine, a single mom. “My family is starting a whole new chapter in our lives thanks to this program.”
About the Family
Nadine was born in Albuquerque and grew up in Los Lunas. In high school she fell in love, but as months went by her boyfriend became more and more controlling. “I couldn’t hang out with friends or do the things I loved because he would get upset. Then I found out that I was 3 months pregnant. I was a preacher’s daughter, in an abusive relationship and pregnant,” said Nadine.
In 2004 her son was born. “He looked at me with his big brown eyes and I knew right then that there is no greater love between a mother and child. Eventually I left the father of my baby, moved out of my mother’s home and started a new chapter with my son.” Nadine enrolled in school to become a pharmacy technician while working part time at a call center.
Since the day he was born Nadine’s son would often stop breathing at night. After years of worrying, the doctors finally ordered a sleep study and discovered he had sleep apnea. “I was pregnant with my second child at the time my son needed surgery,” said Nadine. “He did great and came through with flying colors.”
Nadine’s second pregnancy required her to stay in bed. “Being a single parent I could not stay in bed. I had bills to pay. I was working at a mail order pharmacy at the time and the doctor allowed me to work because I would be sitting down all day.” In 2010 Nadine’s daughter was born, but she had to be rushed to the NICU because she wasn’t breathing properly. “My little girl was the biggest baby in the NICU and she was the loudest as well. Today she is as healthy as any child.”
A couple years later, Nadine had a severe anxiety attack while at work. “I made arrangements for my kids to be picked up from daycare and I headed to the emergency room,” said Nadine. “As I’m waiting to be discharged the doctor comes in to let me know they’re getting a room ready for me. He told me that my platelet count was dangerously low. The next day was my 27th birthday and honestly I couldn’t comprehend the severity of the situation.” After a week of tests, blood work and monitoring, Nadine was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder.
“God healed my body and things started to shift,” said Nadine. In 2017 she graduated from Beauty College and is now a salon manager. “My children are what keep me motivated to overcome the distractions in life and accomplish my goals. I want them to see that no matter what happens, you can achieve what you aspire to be. The Habitat for Humanity program means a lot to us because it’s an opportunity that makes being a homeowner possible.”
