|
 Olga Frayre dreamed of one day owning her own home. But, after moving to the United States from Mexico, Olga and her 7-year-old daughter, Janay, faced many challenges that forced them to move in with Olga’s parents.
“I was trying to save money to buy a house, but with a car and daycare payments, along with other expenses, it was very hard,” she said.
That’s when Olga heard about Habitat for Humanity – a nonprofit organization that builds affordable houses in partnership with those who lack adequate shelter. So, she applied for assistance.
Habitat accepted her request and the Mutual of Omaha Foundation embraced the cause, agreeing to provide funding for the project. In addition, Mutual of Omaha offered to provide volunteers that would help build the house on company time.
Over the course of one summer, more than 600 Mutual of Omaha employees pitched-in and spent nearly 2,000 hours working on the home. They exchanged their comfortable desks, computers and phones for tool belts, hammers and saws. Olga worked alongside the employees, helping them build a new future for herself and her daughter.
The work paid off. In November of 2005, Olga’s dream became a reality when Mutual of Omaha Chairman and CEO Dan Neary presented her with the keys to a new home – and a new way of life.
“Everyone from Mutual worked really hard,” Olga said. “It means a lot to me that they gave their time to help on my house.”
Watch a video about the Habitat for Humanity project or read more about the Mutual of Omaha Foundation’s focus on basic human needs.
|
