114 N Cottage Grove, Urbana. See images here.

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About the Corona Family

About Women Builds

Build Sponsors

Build Schedule and Volunteering

Upcoming Events

Past Events

About the Corona Family

www.flickr.com habitatchampaign's 08 Corona Women Build photoset

Raised in Morelia (a city of 2 million) Maricela Corona learned the value of education and hard work from her parents. Sixth of seven children, Maricela – like her siblings – was told to either get good grades or go to work. She chose chose to study chemistry and upon graduation, earning valedictorian status of her class.

After marrying her college sweetheart, Maricela and her husband moved to the United States to pursue his work in entomology.

What do you like about living in the United States?
I like small cities where people are warm. My daughters and I appreciate simple things where we can learn from. I love diversity and learning from different cultures. That has been my best experience here in the United States.

Just as Maricela was planning to go back to school after being a stay-at-home mom for her two daughters - Frida and Celeste - her marriage fell apart and her plans changed. With Celeste sick with asthma, Maricela decided instead to get a part-time job with the Urbana Adult Education Center, watching the children of GED students and Celeste at the same time. When a full-time Teacher’s Assistant position opened up a year and half later in the Urbana School District, she jumped at the chance to work in the Bilingual Program at Leal, where she would again be close to Celesta.

Why have you made the United States your permanent home?
I came here six years ago, for only one year with many expectations for my family. My children's father was working on his Post-Doctoral studies at U of I and I was at home. I got a Degree in Chemistry and a Master of Biotechnology in Mexico and I left my career behind. After the first year suddenly my life changed because of the break-up of my marriage and by then I had a part time job and my younger daughter sick with asthma. I had to look for a full time job and I got a full time job at Leal School in Urbana, where I have worked for more than four years. I decided to live here because I don't usually run away from bad situations, I face them and working on a second degree will make me feel challenged and gain my daughters' respect. I love to teach and that is what I plan to do in the future. We are permanent, legal residents.

What are the problems with your current living situation?
I currently rent a small apartment in Urbana (two bedrooms). My two daughters (13 and 9 years old) and I live there. They need their own space and privacy to study and rest. The limited space we have right now creates sometimes tension between them. We really need more space.

Frida and Celeste are voracious readers and both say the most important thing to add to their new rooms are bookshelves. Frida has her sights set on becoming a lawyer or earning her MBA at Harvard. The straight-A student is well on her way. Outgoing Celeste says she wants to be a singer, artist, fashion designer, or author. “Or mathematician,” adds her mother.

What would owning your own home mean to you?
It means a lot. I always wanted to get my own house, space and the most important reason a sense of stability.

What would owning your own home mean to your girls?
They are very happy. They truly believe that life will be better, they will have their privacy and will study harder.

What would owning your own home mean to your family's future?
It means the beginning of a new stage, a sense of freedom and the possibility of a better life.

Why did you choose to get more education?
I decided to get involved in the bilingual education program and as a requirement all teachers working for the program should be certified. There is a quick way to get certification (6 months-1 year) and also the long way through the College of Education. I decided to get the second and serve families, students, and Leal better.

People might wonder why you can't afford a home when you are currently in school. Please tell us more about how Leal School is sponsoring your education.
The USD 116 and U of I have a program that provides limited fee waivers every semester to employees (about five). The USD committee decides who is going to get the fee waivers. I got one of the fee waivers this semester. I am very happy.

How do balance being a mom, working and going to school?
It has been a little complicated, but I always find a time of the day to communicate with my children about anything they want to tell me. I usually study at night when they sleep and I focus better. At school I teach and try to do my best. I try to find 15 minutes a day to relax and go on.

Why do you value education?
I value education because that is something that nobody can take away from you. Education is a heritage.

How is your church supporting you?
People are supportive and warm. All my friends pray for me.

How has your faith helped you in your experience?
I have very strong faith. I believe now that things happen for any reason and I had to learn and accept that my life changed. I move forward with high expectations for my kids and for me and God will lead our way.

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About Women Builds

Why? video

Women Build is a Habitat for Humanity International program that encourages women and girls to have fun and make a difference by building homes and communities. Nearly 1,000 Habitat houses have been built by women crews around the world. Each year 150 or more homes are added as affiliates, donors and sponsors discover the impact of women volunteers and their resources.

How?
Make a financial contribution to help us reach our goal of $64,500. Join hands with dedicated women to raise money and be involved. Involve your group, club or friends with a build day. ($5,400 donation). Celebrate your birthday or other special event with us – ask friends and family to donate in your honor to the Women Build House. Organize a “Workplace Giving Program”.  Ask your workplace to match your donation. Volunteer on the build site. We hope to being in the spring of 2008. To be notified of the schedule as it emerges, contact Ellen Willcox (house@cuhabitat.org, 217-359-0507 x110). To make a donation, click here.

Skills?

Don’t worry! Many women come to Women Build sites with no construction skills at all and still make a great impact. Training will be provided. This is empowerment at its best: women joining hands with other women, raising money, building a home, achieving a dream with another woman.

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Build Sponsors

As of May 7, 2008

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Upcoming Events

Groundbreaking

Please join us on Sunday, May 11th at 2pm, 114 N Cottage Grove, Urbana, to celebrate the start of construction on our 50th home. We will spell out the number 50, recieve a blessing and be treated with"i thank You God for most this amazing day" and "Gathering Song" by members of build supporter Amasong: Champaign-Urbana's Premier Lesbian/Feminist Chorus, under the direction of Meagan Johnson Smith.Hear a preview at their spring concert, "Renewal," May 3 at 7:30 pm and May 4 pm at McKinley Presbyterian Church, 809 S Fifth St (corner of Fifth and John), Champaign. The suggested donation is $10-$20, more if you can, less if you can't. For more information about Amasong, please visit www.amasong.org.

Dedication

Saturday, August 2nd at 10 a.m.

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Build Schedule

To register, contact Ellen Willcox at 359-0507 x111 or house@cuhabitat.org.

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Past Events

United Rentals Helps Women Build Homes: On March 28th, 2008, United Rentals will be having a customer appreciation day complete with lunch (11 am - 2pm) and sales on equipment and supplies. United Rentals (3501 N. Countryview Rd., Urbana, 351-5820) will encourage shoppers that day to join them in making a donation to the Women Build Homes partnership with the Maricela Corona family. Thank you, United Rentals, for helping to build community and relationships through new construction with low-income families!

The C-U Storytellers Guild is proud to present "There's No Place Like Home," a fund raiser on behalf of the Women Build Homes partnership with the Maricela Corona Family (now at $32,000 of the $64,500 needed to start the build). On Sunday, March 2, from 2 - 4pm, at Grace Community Church (2901 Watterson Court, Champaign), storytellers Kathy Brinkmann, Kim Sheahan, Camille Born, Lynn Randall and Elizabeth Simpson will tell lots of stories from around the world about people and the place they call home.
This is a family-friendly event with a $5 donation at the door. Tasty treats will be provided by Pekara Bakery.

Amasong presents She, My Heart's Friend

on Saturday, December 8 at 730pm

and Sunday, December 9 at 4pm.

Both will be at McKinley Presbyterian, 809 S Fifth St, Champaign. A portion of proceeds from both concerts will be donated to the 2008 Women Build with the Corona Family.

Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman: Come together to benefit the Maricela Corona Family and Women Build 2008 with a cocktail party!

Meet fellow Habiteers and future home owner Maricela Corona on Friday, November 16, 5-7pm at Michelle's Bridal, 2210 North Willow Road, Urbana, 61802 (complimentary food and wine).

Space is limited. Reserve your space with your Women Build pledge by contacting Eileen Gebbie (director@cuhabitat.org, 359-0507 x111) today. There is no minimum pledge.

Special Thanks to our Event Sponsors: Michelle's Bridal, English Hedgerow, Z Entertainment, Herriott's Rentals, Printec and BridalU.net.

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