Construction

Over the last twelve years, the Un family has worked hard to become active, engaged members of the Lowell community.  Having fled Cambodia in 2006 where he worked as a journalist, dad Sokhom is employed at Unwrapped Inc. and mom Somonthara has worked at New England Wire products in Leominster for over nine years.

Although they are grateful to have found housing in Lowell’s Acre neighborhood, they have outgrown their small apartment which has no dining room for them to share a meal together and in which all four boys share one bedroom. “Although our kitchen is very small, it does not deter my wife and me from cooking great food for our family.”

Despite the size of their apartment, all four boys are thriving. Oldest son Sokreth, attends UMASS Lowell; Visal, a graduate of Lowell High school, is currently attending basic training in the Marine Corps; Vichear, studies nursing at UMass Lowell and youngest son Sokrath, attends Lowell High School.

Sokhom and Somonthara place a high value on education and giving back to the community. They are committed to ensuring that their sons work hard and take advantage of the good education the Lowell Public schools has offered them and continue to excel at UMass Lowell.  In addition, all boys have given back to the community by working or volunteering with the Lowell Community Health Center Teen BLOCK, the Lowell Historical Park and working with the Lowell Spindle City Corps to clean up the city and canals. Oldest son Sokreth previously worked as an outreach coordinator with Working Cities Lowell Initiative helping make connections in the Lowell Cambodian community.  They look forward to living in their Nesmith Street home for a long time and continuing to give back to the Lowell community.

Being selected at Habitat Greater Lowell’s 49^th homeowner for our Alpine Street, North Billerica home is a dream come true for Delilah Amador and her three children. Although her life has not been easy, Delilah always pictured this day, “I have worked hard to get to where I am today, no matter how hard life became, I always dreamed that I could make this day happen for my kids.”

Through all of the challenges Delilah encountered, she never gave up hope; after becoming a young mom at 16, Delilah graduated from high school but soon found herself and her young son without permanent housing for more than a year. Trying to move forward, she continued working two jobs, entered into a relationship and became the mom of another son and daughter. However, Delilah soon found herself the victim of domestic abuse and without a job as her long term employer un-expectantly shut down. Although she wanted to give up, Delilah was determined to keep her family together and focused on making life better them all.

A graduate of Greater Lowell Tech, Delilah became a certified nursing assistant and is currently taking nursing classes at Middlesex Community College. In addition to attending school part time, she works full time as a bus driver for the Lowell School department and part time at a Billerica assistant living facility. Over the past few years she has used her hard earned money to pay off debt and purchase a reliable car. Affordable homeownership has always been part of the plan for Delilah and Billerica’s Alpine Street home was her second time applying for a Habitat home. I am very proud of myself, I had to do a lot to get here but I did it all on my own.”

Delilah now sees a lot of promise in her future. Owning a home of their own means everything to her and her children, “Now when my kids come home, they will be coming HOME. They will have space to hang with friends, do school work and just “be”. She looks forward to working hard building alongside Habitat Greater Lowell’s volunteers and is happy to share her story with anyone who may need hope, “Anyone can do it. If you really want something, it can happen as long as you set your mind to it.”

As excited as Delilah is, her oldest son Devonnie, now 15, put it best. After finding out that his mom had been chosen as Habitat Greater Lowell’s newest homeowner, Devonnie posted a photo of Delilah on social media with the caption: “I prayed for this day every night. I don’t know anyone as strong as this woman here (my mom), she made this happen for us.”