Family Stories: Magdalena Orozco Valencia Family

One of the first Telegraph Townhomes families, Magdalena (Maggie) came to the U.S. from Mexico as a young woman. Over the years, she married, settled in Pasco, WA, had three children, divorced, and relocated to be near her brother in Bellingham. Today, Maggie is a single mother and the sole provider for her children. Approximately 12 million households in American are headed by a single parent. Of those, more than 75 percent are headed by single mothers.

Maggie continues to work two or three jobs to support her family, but was still able to find time to work her sweat-equity volunteer hours with Habitat for Humanity of Whatcom ‘s Habitat Store.

“The joy I feel is overwhelming,” Maggie added. “I never thought I’d be able to get a home. I’m so grateful…because as a single mom having my own home was never going to be a possibility.”