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Category: Front Page News Front Page News
Published: 08 May 2014 08 May 2014

Photos by Shirin McArthur

 

Fourth grader's work will be displayed in Nation's Capital. (Courtesy photo)

ALBUQUERQUE, NM, May 8, 2014 • USDA Rural Development State Director Terry Brunner honored 10-year-old Mireya Cisneros a 4th grader attending the Sixth Street Elementary School in Silver City, New Mexico earlier today for her winning illustration in the first homeownership poster contest held by the agency.

The poster contest was held to help publicize the National Homeownership Month celebration will take place throughout the month of June. The celebration is held every year to educate the public about owning a home.

When presenting the first place certificate to the young artist Brunner said, "I want to congratulate you for your creativity in maintaining the contest's theme of 'What my home means to me!'" Brunner added, "Your artwork and your words remind us all of what it means to children and families across the state to have a place they can call home."

Brunner was referring to the short essay Ms. Cisneros wrote. She said, "My home means a lot to me because it puts a roof over my head and gives me shelter. I am really glad to have a good home. It makes me feel lucky to have a house because a lot of people in the world don't have food, a roof over their head, or clothes on their backs. I'm really lucky to have a home."

The art work was judged by USDA Rural Development staff for its originality, and by the essay based on the contest's theme of "What my home means to me!"

Six other student artists attending G.W. Stout Elementary and the Sixth Street Elementary were also honored for their participation in the poster contest. Each of these artists also received a certificate of appreciation from Brunner. Those honored included: Ajia Richard, Ayane E. Reyes, Bobbie Jean Arsola, Emiliano Rodriguez, Isihia Campos and Michael Jaylynn Crist.

The poster drawn by Ms. Cisneros will be used throughout the month of June in USDA Rural Development's outreach on homeownership. The art work will also be displayed at the USDA Rural Development's housing administrator's office in Washington, D.C. Another copy will also be displayed at the USDA Rural Development's Service Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Both will be displayed for the rest of the year.

The poster will also be displayed at the various homeownership month events being planned by USDA Rural Development. The events include:

June 4, 2014, Albuquerque, NM • Lender of the year award will be made to honor Sunwest Mortgage for the work it has done with the Guaranteed Rural Housing loan program offered by USDA Rural Development's housing program.

June 10, 2014, Grants, NM • Mr. Danny Real a contractor from Grants, New Mexico will be given, the HERO Award for the work he has done in refurbishing the homes of the elderly using USDA Rural Development's 504 rehabilitation housing program.

June 18, 2014, Zuni Pueblo, NM Zuni Pueblo Self Help Housing project dedication and house warming event of the first three homes built using this program. This Self Help Housing project at Zuni Pueblo is the first Native American reservation in New Mexico to use this program.

June 18, 2014, Gallup, NM Sun Valley Apartment dedication is being held to celebrate the recent completion of remodeling of this apartment complex and two others that are located next door.

June 24, 2014 Sunland Park, NM •Housing fair will be held to provide information to those involved in the housing industry. The fair will give material and technical assistance on how to apply for a hoe loan or grant through USDA Rural Development's housing program.

June 25, 2014, Lordsburg, NM •Housing fair will be held to provide information to those involved in the housing industry. The fair will give material and technical assistance on how to apply for a hoe loan or grant through USDA Rural Development's housing program.
June 27, 2014, Springer, NM USDA Rural Development will host the Northeast NM Housing Taskforce housing workshop designed to provide detailed information to those involved in the housing industry in northeast New Mexico. The goal is create more opportunities to buy a house. The area has been dubbed, "The Housing Desert" because of the lack of homeownership opportunities.

President Obama's plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President's leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way • strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA's investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.