Belize City Mother Receives New Home

A 32-year-old Belize City mother is tonight celebrating a life-changing milestone, after receiving the keys to a brand-new home through a partnership between Heritage Bank Limited and Hand in Hand Ministries.  The house, built as part of Heritage Bank’s corporate social responsibility initiative, was officially handed over this afternoon during a blessing ceremony held in the community near the HUB Resource and Community Center. The recipient, Shanice Castillo, is a single mother who has been the sole provider and caregiver for her young daughter since birth.  After facing ongoing challenges in securing safe and stable housing, Castillo’s journey took a positive turn when she connected with Hand in Hand Ministries, ultimately leading to today’s prideful moment for her family.  Representing Hand in Hand Ministries, Shannon Stuart explained that today’s ceremony marks the organization’s 562nd house handover, and the tenth homecompleted so far this year. Stuart says Shanice Castillo is the recipient of today’s home, made possible through the partnership with Heritage Bank Limited.

Shanon Stuart, Social Worker, Hand in Hand: “It’s an amazing feeling to be able to work with an organization that looks out for the benefits of people that are in dire need. Each and every year Heritage Bank comes out with their team, they come out stronger each and ever year. They take their time to just give back to our community, to people that are most in need. Normally what we do we would conduct interviews, we also do interviews in the family home because we want to get a better understanding of the living situation for the family. And once we collect our necessary data we take it back to the table and we discuss each and every case carefully because we want to ensure that is chosen is the person that is most in need of the house and at the end of the day that was Ms. Shanice Castillo.”

For Castillo, the new home represents more than just shelter, it is a fresh start and a safer environment for her child.

Shanice Castillo, Home Recipient: “When she called me she called me and said “Ms. Castillo you were accepted to get a house from Heritage and I was all excited because you know I was already feeling it already but I was just waiting for the call. But I got accepted from Heritage Bank, Hand in Hands and this is where I am now owning my own home, first time homeowner. I had patience. I waited, I prayed, I left everything in God’s hands because through him all things are possible so I left it in his hands and when it is my time it is my time and this is my time. So I have my house, I am a homeowner thanks to Hand in Hands and Heritage Bank. I am more than happy and excited, I can’t wait to move in. I can’t wait, I just can’t wait. I have my own home. I don’t have to worry about parents, that was what was holding me back so this is a big step for me. I can literally go through with my plans the I have because I have my own home now.”

The first collaboration between Hand in Hand Ministries and Heritage Bank Limited was is in October 2017.