Maribel Elena Santiago was born in California and has lived in South Carolina for the last 20 years. Her parents are from Puerto Rico and she lived with them there for several years as a child.

Maribel has two grown children, and is now caring for her two beautiful nieces, Desiree and Gabriela who were born in South Carolina.

Desiree is eight years old and attends second grade. She enjoys a variety of activities such as swimming, playing soccer, playing outside, and staying busy.

Gabriela is a six year old who enjoys putting together puzzles, playing outside and coloring. "My nieces are great girls with great hearts," says Maribel. We enjoy living in America and continue to celebrate our Hispanic/Latino traditions."

Maribel's education is very important to her. She has a SC Cosmetologist License and is a Nationally Registered Medical Assistant (NRCMA). In 2006 she was awarded a Family Development Credential by Portage Project and she recently completed her Early Childhood Development Associates degree. For the last seven years, Maribel has been working for the Rural Mission Migrant Head Start Program on Johns Island as a Family Partnership/Mental Health Manager.

"I realized that what I am most passionate about is the holistic approach, which gives me the opportunity to empower the parents of children we serve with education," says Maribel. She has already shown herself to be a wonderful Habitat partner and believes her mission in life is to help people. We are very excited to welcome her into our Habitat family.