Habitat for Humanity Dedicates a Home in Cotati

A brand new home in Cotati was buzzing with energy Thursday afternoon as area residents chatted happily about the culmination of all the volunteer work.

Habitat for Humanity of Sonoma County held a home dedication ceremony of its newest home March 24th welcoming the Macalino family to the house that better suits their needs. The home is located at 8151 Woodland Hills Drive, Cotati.

Calista and Alvin Macalino, with their children Kapena and Kawika, are now moving into their new home.

Habitat Board Chair John Kennedy recognized the hard work of volunteers who helped complete the build.

“This is our mission, and this is our celebration of the culmination of being able to dedicate a house to the Macalino family,” Kennedy said. “This organization does not exist without volunteers ... Habitat is grounded in volunteerism and getting the community involved in getting a house built.”

Habitat for Humanity of Sonoma County CEO, Tamara Stanley, added that she has enjoyed working with the Macalino’s. “These families work hard for this opportunity! They qualify for a 30-year mortgage, put in hundreds of hours of “sweat equity” and go through financial and homeownership education.”

“We’re excited to move in and the kids are too. We’ll start having some fun times here,” Alvin Macalino said.

He mentioned the encouragement and support he and his wife Calista has seen since the project started.

“We just wanted to say thanks to everyone who’s helped out with the house,” Alvin said. “It’s been very supportive. So many people we don’t even know, have come here to build this home. It’s been very welcoming and heartfelt.”

The home was the 22nd built by the Sonoma County Habitat affiliate. Habitat has started to build the fifth house in the Woodland Hills neighborhood and is currently planning its next projects in Santa Rosa, Graton and Windsor. Stanley said that the organization is currently working on its homeowner selection process. There is a homeowner informational meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 7th at 6pm to be held at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore on the corner of Piner & Industrial Drive in Santa Rosa.

Anyone interested in volunteering or attending the informational meeting should call 707-578-7707 x111 or visit www.habitatsoco.org