Tag Archives: success story

Habitat Success Story- 10 Years Later

At Teton Habitat, we believe that everyone deserves a decent place to live. Through donations, volunteering, and the support of our community, we are able to provide truly affordable housing in Teton County. 

In 2013, Teton Habitat built four townhomes at the Homesteads at Teton Village. These were Habitat’s 25th – 28th homes.  As a requirement of the Teton Village Expansion, Crystal Springs Ranch, Inc. gifted the lots to Habitat. JLF & Associates, Inc was the architect for the project. This Old Bill’s season, we are excited to feature a Habitat family who is still thriving in their home after 10 years. 

Sharon and Stephen Fralin were excited to build their dream – a Habitat home that would be safe and healthy for their children in the town that was their home. Beset by financial and health hardships, they lost their first home to foreclosure in 2010. This was also emotionally devastating because it was the home where Sharon, a fourth generation Wyoming native, and her family were raised. 

After foreclosing on their home, the Fralin’s struggled in the Teton County rental market. Their rental, before purchasing a Teton Habitat home, was a small two bedroom apartment where ice collected on the inside of metal window frames during the cold winter months. They also had to deal with mold growing in the bathrooms. 

Sharon worked as a cook and cashier for Teton County School District and Stephen was a chef and a River Rock Lodge Assisted Living Center Dining Services Director. Both Stephen and Sharon enjoy the outdoors, being involved at their church, and volunteering with organizations that have benefitted their family such as Jackson Hole Therapeutic Riding Association and the Special Olympics program. 

Their oldest child has down syndrome. “She has brought us incredible joy… and helped us renew our faith,” say Sharon and Stephen. The Fralin family continue to live and raise their family in their Teton Village home. 

It is through community support and donations that we can build truly affordable home for families like the Fralins. Now through September 15th your donations can go further through Old Bills Fun Run. You can donate to Teton Habitat Here. 

Unable to donate financially? We are always looking for people to donate their time to help these homes become a reality. Please consider volunteering here. 

Habitat Success Story- Meet the Jimenez Family

At Teton Habitat, we believe that everyone deserves a decent place to live. Through donations, volunteering, and the support of our community, we are able to provide truly affordable housing in Teton County. 

In 2015, Habitat built four townhomes in the Daisy Bush subdivision located in East Jackson. The land was purchased from St. John’s Medical Center. This month, we are excited to feature a Habitat family who is still thriving in their home. 

Rosalba and Juan Jimenez and their three children were excited about their Habitat home, as it allowed them to realize two dreams – to own a home of their own and to stay in Jackson, an area they love due to its beauty and tranquility. Born in Tlaxcala, Mexico, Juan has lived in the United States for 30 years. He has lived in Jackson for over 10 years.

Before purchasing their Habitat home, they lived in a small, two bedroom, one bathroom house.The two teenagers (boy and girl) shared one bedroom while Juan, Rosalba, and their youngest child shared the other bedroom. The house was poorly insulated. 

Juan is a custodian for the Teton County School District and also works part-time as a laborer for Architectural Stone and Tile. Rosalba is a homemaker and enjoys caring for her family and making crafts for her loved ones. Together, they enjoy spending time with their children in their own home. 

The Jimenz’s monthly rent was $1200. Their monthly mortgage, including loan payment, land lease, property taxes, and homeowner insurance, is now $570. Habitat partner families put in 500 hours of their own ‘sweat equity’, save for a downpayment, and take monthly homeowner classes.

It is through donations that we can build truly affordable homes for families like the Jimenez’s, and it is through the help of our volunteers that these homes become a reality. You can donate directly to Teton Habitat HERE, or Volunteer HERE.