The House that ReStore Built home dedication

The number of homes Habitat is able to build each year is determined by fundraising, volunteer participation and ReStore revenue. Every time you shop at the Restore, your purchase helps build more affordable homes for low-income families right here in Albuquerque. In honor of ReStore’s contribution, one of the homes in the Mesa del Rio development has been named “The House that ReStore Built”.

LtoR: Gary Van Luchene, Board President; Miguel, ReStore Manager; Ahmad and Brishna with their children cutting the ribbon and celebrating their new home.

In 2016, Brishna and Ahmad, originally from Afghanistan, moved to Albuquerque after receiving official refugee status by the United Nations.

They found jobs, enrolled their two sons in school and welcomed a daughter. In May of 2018, their worlds changed once again when they were selected to become a Habitat home buyer.

Ahmad and Brishna working on their sweat equity hours at the Habitat job site

Over the past year Brishna and Ahmad have worked at the Habitat job site, helping to build their home and their neighbors homes.

During the opening ceremony a year ago Brishna said, “Even if they were giving me a home on top of the mountain I would go there because I’ve never had my own home.”

A little more than a year later and this family now has a place to call home! A place they can make theirs, where they can feel safe and secure and build memories together.

During the dedication ceremony on June 8th Ahmad said, “I spent a lifetime of bad memories in my home country of Afghanistan. I can’t believe we own a home in the United States. Everything is blessed with your help.”

Brishna and the children during the Dedication ceremony for their Habitat home.

A SWAT Volunteer hands over the keys to the house!

Showing off the keys to his family’s new home! Habitat homeowners of the House that ReStore Built.

Thank you to everyone who has donated or shopped at the ReStore! Your support allow us to continue building affordable homes possible for families in the Albuquerque area.

And thank you to Wells Fargo and Bank of America for their generous support of Habitat and believing that through shelter, we empower.

Learn more about families selected to become Habitat home buyers