Rapid City, SD – 2024. The Cordero partner family story is one of transformational change. This is how hard work and a hand up from Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity helped a young family break the cycle of poverty for themselves, their seven children, and two grandchildren.
Anthony and Sophia live in their Habitat home in Rapid City with five of their children aged 3-18. They have two older daughters who live in Texas. Since moving into their home in 2020, they have been able to focus on building their food truck business and are proud to have secured a two-year contract with Ellsworth Airforce Base where they provide food to the airmen and airwomen through the summer months. Anthony also works part-time at Walmart in food services and will work full time at Walmart in the winter months.
The family had been living in substandard and cramped living conditions in an area of town known for a higher crime rate. Their landlord required them to pay for all repairs in their rental home which had been flooded and had black mold. But the family also had heart and hope and faith. They were dedicated to changing their circumstances through hard work.
Anthony and Sophia, now in their early 40s, had the will and desire to change the future for themselves and their children. They felt like they were driven out of California by skyrocketing rent. They left California with children in tow and $1,500. They came to South Dakota because Sophia was born in the state, and she wanted to be near her ailing father who still lives here. Anthony quickly got a job, secured a place to rent, and then took a second job to pay the bills. “And then Habitat called,” said Anthony. That was the beginning of transformational change for the Cordero family.
“We can now pay the mortgage and our bills and focus on growing our business,” said Sophia. “Now we are even able to save a little, focus on our children’s education, and even take a vacation with the kids. We now have the freedom to focus on our family.”