Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity Welcomes Two New Homeowner Families to James Street Duplex

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity is proud to introduce the two newest families who will call its James Street duplex in Whitehouse Station home. After partnering with Raritan Valley Habitat, both families are preparing to open the door to a new chapter in their lives through homeownership.

Meet the Padmore Family

Sonia Padmore's story is one of determination and family. The daughter of parents from Trinidad, Sonia was born in Houston and moved to New Jersey as a young child. In 2010, she made Hunterdon County her home. One of four children, Sonia is the first member of her family to finish college — a milestone that speaks to her drive and perseverance.

After working in the mental health field for many years, that same determination led her back to school in 2023, when she began pursuing a career in nursing. Today she is studying for her NCLEX exam, the final step toward becoming a licensed nurse. When she is not studying, Sonia loves cooking Caribbean food and dancing, filling her home with the flavors and rhythms of her family's heritage.

Sonia is the proud mother of three children. Her oldest, Naysan (21), lives on his own. At home, Jamie (6) loves reading, playing, and arts and crafts, while Zayden (3) enjoys splashing at the water park and working out alongside his mom. For the Padmore family, this new home represents stability and a foundation room for all family members to grow. Jamie and Zayden are especially excited to have their own rooms!

Meet the Atnafu Kechinu/Daba Family

Wondwossen Atanafu Kechinu came to the United States from Ethiopia in 2006, where he worked as a driver for a nonprofit organization. He continues serving his community today through a local school, coordinating transportation and driving children and adults with special needs to and from specialized programs at the Matheny School. His wife, Seble Daba, whom he married in 2015, worked as a construction engineer in Ethiopia before moving to the United States in 2019. She now focuses full-time on caring for their three children: Hiyab, Abel, and Daniel.

The family loves spending time together, playing soccer, riding bikes, swimming, and volunteering at their Ethiopian Orthodox Church. They are especially looking forward to creating a yard of their own, with plans for a child-friendly edible garden of spinach and tomatoes alongside roses and hedges. Wondwossen's skills as a woodworker will be a valuable asset as the family completes the sweat equity hours required through Habitat,

and they are thrilled to join a neighborhood with excellent schools, a nearby baseball field, and children close in age to their own.

“Everyone at Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity is excited to partner with the Padmore and Atnafu Kechinu/Daba families,” said Jessica Abbott, Executive Director of Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity. “The duplex, which backs up to a ball field and is close to Readington Township schools, is the perfect spot for chil-dren to grow, learn, and play. These homes will provide the foundation for a bright future.”

Raritan Valley Habitat homeowners are selected through a rigorous application process, and they purchase their deed-restricted affordable home. In addition, each future homeowner family commits to partnering with Habitat. They work on building homes, engaging with the community, participating in workshops and learning opportunities, fundraising, and more.

Habitat houses are truly community projects. Volunteers and generous donors fuel every step--from planning to building to homeowner support. Funding for this project was provided by the DCA/Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Readington Township (who donated the land and additional funds), and Hunterdon County.

About Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity has been building homes, communities, and hope since 1991. Somerset and Hunterdon County families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Through financial support, volunteering, or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families build better futures for themselves. Through shelter, we empower.

To support the New Homeowner, Repair, Almost Home, and Neighborhood Revitalization programs by mak-ing a donation, please visit www.rvhabitat.org/give or mail a donation to Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 330, Pluckemin, NJ 07978. For individuals and groups who would like to volunteer, visit rvhabi-tat.org/volunteer. To shop, donate, or volunteer at our ReStore, visit rvhabitatrestore.org.