Room to Grow

Photos by Staffan Hacker

Over the course of 18 months, Habitat for Humanity International photographer Steffan Hacker visited the Echevarria family of Phoenix, Ariz., photographing them before their Habitat partnership, while they were doing their sweat equity during their partnership, and after they moved in.The images on these pages are the result of his visits, illustrating the everyday tasks and joys that create happiness, unity and vitality in this family's life.

Before partnering with the Valley of the Sun Habitat affiliate, Monica Echevarria had applied for various subsidized housing options, but there was always a long wait.

In fact, only days after she moved into her new Habitat for Humanity house, she finally received news regarding her Section 8 application--four years after she submitted it.

For two years prior to her Habitat house, Monica shared a tiny apartment with her three children--Adrian, 7; Alondra, 4; and Selah, 2--including a bedroom the size of a parking space. Adrian and Alondra shared one twin bed; Monica and Selah shared the other.

Today, adequate space is one of the attributes she loves most about her family's Habitat house.With a pantry for food, a closet for clothes, a laundry room, a back yard for the kids to play in--and a front yard, too--Monica and her family have room to grow, individually and as a family.