'It feels like a dream come true': Local family celebrates new women-built home from Habitat for Humanity

Rochester, N.Y. - A Rochester family is earning a fresh start with a new home in the city.

The Greater Rochester Habitat for Humanity dedicated the home on Friday at a celebration with the homeowner, Angelica Pagan, and her two sons.

"It feels good," said Dereck Beltran, Pagan's son. "It feels like a dream come true because first, I wanted to have a new room so that's good that we're going to have one in a couple weeks."

An all-women team of more than 100 builders constructed the house as part of the women build program.

Pagan also put in 200 hours toward building her home.

"I am so delighted to be here to dedicate the nineteenth women-build house that has been built in Rochester and I'm very glad that it's going to you Angelica," said Pam Bradley, chair of the steering committee for the Greater Rochester Habitat for Humanity.

"They do all the fundraising and then they do all the building and you’ll hear their phrases like ‘give a woman a power tool and she’ll change the world,'" said Matt Flanigan, the president and CEO of the organization. "Well behind me is a living example of just that."

Pagan fled Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. She is now the first person in her family to buy a home, which was a major goal of hers.

"Thank you for Rochester Habitat for giving me this great opportunity to be able to provide my children with a safe home, but above all, achieve a dream," said Beltran as he read a letter written by his mother. "Something that I saw far away, but never impossible."

Pagan hopes her home remains a reminder that it's never too late to follow your dreams.

"She said, basically, never stop dreaming and always chase your dreams," said Beltran on behalf of his mother.

Original Article: https://13wham.com/news/local/it-feels-like-a-dream-come-true-local-family-celebrates-new-women-built-home-from-habitat-for-humanity