“This has changed our destiny,” said Justin Proulx about his family being chosen to move into Sunnyvale’s first Habitat for Humanity home.
During a special dedication ceremony on Oct. 11, Proulx’s wife and four boys were welcomed to the completely redesigned home at 239 Jackson St. by Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley president and CEO Janice Jensen, Habitat board members and volunteers, and Sunnyvale Mayor Jim Griffith.
After putting in 250 hours of “sweat equity” into the home, Proulx was more than happy to accept the key.
The math teacher and swim coach at The King’s Academy said he is thrilled to have the opportunity to be a homeowner in the city that he works and grew up near.
“It feels like such a blessing from God; I don’t know what we did to be selected, but it has changed our destiny,” the Saratoga native said. “To continue to live where I work, I just feel absolutely fulfilled.”
Proulx said he found out he had been selected on June 25, his first day on site was June 28–his third son’s birthday–and his fourth son was born July 6.
The Proulxes’ other sons are ages 9,7 and 5.
“The process for us was very different than most people’s experience with Habitat,” Proulx said. “I’ve been told repeatedly that normally the process takes 18 months, from the initial application up through being selected. For us, the process was very short. Thanks to my schedule as a teacher, I was able to complete my 250 hours over the summer.”
Family members and friends contributed a good amount of assistance as well, as the couple awaited the birth of their fourth child.
When all was said and done, the home was transformed from a two-bedroom, one-bathroom unit to a three-bedroom, 1½-bathroom home.
Proulx had a hand in laying tile and laminate flooring, as well as some landscaping.
The completion of Habitat’s first home in Sunnyvale has been more than two years in the making. The city council directed city staff to enter negotiations with Habitat back in August 2012, after being approached by the nonprofit to purchase two city-owned homes at 239 and 279 Jackson St.
The council decided to move forward with the sale of the two vacant homes to Habitat in April 2013. After screening upward of 500 people, Habitat selected the Proulx family.
“A huge demand for affordable housing exists in Sunnyvale and across Santa Clara County, and we are thankful for the community support that made this home possible,” Jensen said. “This is the first Habitat home to be built in Sunnyvale, and we couldn’t be happier for the Proulx family. This home will provide years of stability and growth for the family who will now be able to stay in the community in which they work.”
Over the past 27 years Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley has served more than 460 families in Alameda, Contra Costa and Santa Clara counties by providing affordable homeownership opportunities to low-income families.
For more information, visit habitatebsv.org.
