It was an emotional scene on 17th Avenue in Oak Park on Saturday, September 22nd as Sacramento Habitat for Humanity dedicated their 90th home to the Fabio Family amongst a large crowd of visibly moved volunteers, sponsors, and neighbors. 

Ayanna Fabio , a single mother of 5 who works as a Family Advocate for the River Oaks Center for Children, always wanted to be able to move her family into their own home, but simply "couldn't afford it".  Self proclaimed "nomads", Ayanna and her children have moved 5 times in the past 5 years due to rising rent prices. 

Ayanna heard about Sacramento Habitat back in 2011 and attended a Family Orientation.  While sharing what she learned about the program with her children, "they didn't believe me.  They didn't believe that an opportunity like this could really exist". 

A year later, amidst the smiles and tears of the sponsors (Cisco, SMUD Employee Volunteers, and The Marnette Revocable Trust) and volunteers who helped her build her home, a teary-eyed Ayanna received the keys to her family's new home , "Know that your giving spirit will be remembered in every flick of a light switch and every turn of a doorknob. And for this, with love, we say thank you.”

Ayanna and her two oldest children contributed in putting in the 500 hours of sweat equity required for a Habitat homeowner to receive their home.  Upon moving in, Ayanna will also receive a 0% interest 30-year mortgage.