When Gloria Fitch arrived in the United States from Colombia, she was eight months pregnant and beginning a life far from everything familiar.
Soon after her daughter was born, Gloria’s marriage ended. She found herself raising a child on her own while also rebuilding her education and career. Because her professional credentials from Colombia were not fully recognized, she returned to school, prepared for a career in education, and worked full time while caring for her daughter.
It was a demanding season, but Gloria remained focused on creating a stable future for her family.
That determination eventually led her to NeighborWorks Waco. After connecting with Delisa Burnell-Smith, Gloria completed the required classes and began exploring available homes. She toured several properties but could not find one that felt right. Rather than settling, she returned to NeighborWorks Waco and asked whether building a home might be possible.
The answer was yes, but she would need to be patient.
NeighborWorks Waco was preparing to build three houses, and one of them would become Gloria’s home. Staff members kept her involved throughout the process, asking what she needed and inviting her to make decisions about the design and colors.
For Gloria, being able to participate in creating the home made the experience even more meaningful. “I was involved during the time they were building the house,” she recalled. “They asked what I needed and what colors I wanted.”
As a single mother experiencing financial challenges, Gloria also received assistance that helped make the purchase possible. City of Waco funding helped cover many of the upfront expenses, while NeighborWorks Waco guided her through the paperwork and each stage of the process.
Gloria especially remembers the care and personal attention she received from Delisa and the NeighborWorks Waco team.
“Delisa was fantastic, and she still is,” Gloria said. “She helped me through all the paperwork and always called me when there was something I needed to do.”
That guidance did not end when Gloria moved into her home. Over the years, NeighborWorks Waco continued helping her understand documents, taxes, insurance, and other responsibilities associated with homeownership.
Rather than being left to navigate those details alone, Gloria knew she had people she could contact whenever questions arose.
That continued support allowed her to focus on what mattered most: living in the home, raising her daughter, and building a secure life for their family.
More than 20 years later, Gloria still has no desire to leave. “I love my house,” she said. “I want to stay in my house. I don’t want to move anywhere else.”
The home provided the stability Gloria had worked so hard to create for her daughter. It was a place her child could always depend on, no matter what changed around them.
Today, Gloria’s daughter is married and preparing to welcome a baby of her own. During her pregnancy, she returned to Gloria’s home and moved back into the same bedroom she had as a child. “She still claims that room as hers,” Gloria said with a laugh.
Soon, Gloria’s grandchild will spend time in the same room where the baby’s mother grew up. For Gloria, it is a beautiful reminder that the home she worked to obtain has become part of her family’s story across generations.
Her daughter always knew she had somewhere safe to return. “That is the main point,” Gloria explained. “Nobody can take it away from me, and I will always have a roof over her head.”
Gloria’s home has also welcomed relatives from Colombia, including two of her sisters, who had a comfortable place to stay when they visited the United States. Holidays and family gatherings have filled the house with laughter, conversation, and memories.
Visitors often tell Gloria they do not want to leave. “Everyone who comes to the house says it is full of love,” she shared. “They feel comfortable. They feel safe. They feel loved.” For Gloria, those words describe exactly what a home should be.
Owning a home in a new country also represented a significant personal accomplishment. She had arrived as an immigrant, raised her daughter as a single parent, returned to school, built a career, and established a place of her own.
Her home became a visible reminder that her hard work had created something lasting. It also became an example for her daughter. After growing up in a home her mother owned and maintained, Gloria’s daughter later purchased a house of her own. Gloria believes the stability and determination her daughter witnessed helped show her what was possible.
“What I did impacted her, too,” Gloria said. “It showed her that she has to work hard and work toward what she wants.”
After more than two decades as a homeowner, Gloria encourages others to begin their journey with the right people beside them. She recommends contacting NeighborWorks Waco, completing the homebuyer education classes, and taking advantage of the tools and information the organization provides.
“You need to have the right person on your side,” she advised. “You need great people to help you reach the goal you want to have, and that goal is a home.”
Gloria remains deeply grateful for the people who helped her achieve that goal. Their guidance gave her more than the opportunity to purchase a house. It helped her create a secure place where her daughter could grow, her family could gather, and future generations would always be welcome.
What began as one woman’s dream of stability became a home filled with comfort, safety, and love. And after all these years, it remains the place Gloria and her family can always return to.
