"Owning a home is an American Dream, and today we celebrate turning the dream into a reality for the Rodas family," said HUD General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development Nelson Bregon as he presented the Julio Rodas family with an American flag and "welcome" mat. "This family has overcome uncertain odds to realize their dream, and I am proud to be here today and recognize their achievement."

The Julio Rodas family home. A community partnership of public/private organizations and a host of kind and caring individuals, saved this home from demolition and brought it back to life to become the Rodas family home.

Julio Rodas stood with his wife Norma and three children in front of the family's home at 1015 Waverly and thanked everyone in the community who had made this day possible. Rodas, who speaks little English and relies on his 14 year-old daughter Jessica to translate for him, told the crowd that had gathered to celebrate the family's move to homeownership said, "I just want to give back to the community. This home is my beautiful dream. I am so thankful for everything and everybody."

Representing the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, Housing and Community Development Director LaVert Murray said, "The Rodas family is most deserving of all of the recognition they can get. This family has galvanized the neighborhood and the immediate community as partnerships were created to assist this family. Additionally, they have helped to stabilize the neighborhood and saved a home from demolition. And, without this family we would not have created the partnership with Faith Builders which should serve as a model for the entire nation."

HUD General Deputy Assistant Secretary Nelson Bregon presents the Rodas family with an American Flag and a "Welcome" mat. From left to right, Julio Rodas, daughter Stephanie, wife Norma and son Matthew.

Rodas immigrated to the United States from El Salvador in 1980. After living in California, Alabama and Florida, he moved his family to Kansas City, Kansas four years ago. Three rental houses later, unscrupulous landlords, and a problem neighbor, Julio decided to borrow $10,000 from an older son living in California and buy the run-down, dilapidated house at 1015 Waverly. He believed, with time and hard work, he could eventually bring the house back to its original condition. With support from Faith Builders, Faith Based Housing Rehabilitation Ministries, Inc., Moore's Home Mechanical Services, the Kansas Department of Health Environment Lead Harzard Project SAFE Program, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, HUD's Community Development Block Grant Program, KCK Community Police, and many other community organizations and individuals, the house is fast becoming the family's dream home.

Julio and Norma Rodas with their children Matthew and Stephanie at their new home.

The Rodas family was also named the Unified Government's "Homeownership Family of the Year" during a CDBG celebration in April 2006.