Austin teen builds home in memory of mom
For 16-year-old Taylor Thompson, it's more than just building a home, it's building a memorial to honor his mother.
"After she passed, I'm more committed than ever now to seeing what's not a project anymore. This is about love. I've just continued to work on it, to see this through for her," says Taylor Thompson, son.
In October of 2014 his mother Maureen passed away after an 11-year battle with breast cancer. She was an architect and philanthropist with deep family ties to Austin Habitat for Humanity.
One of her biggest achievements came in the mid 1990's, when she won a design contest for creating a new blueprint for the non-profit's homes.
"A lot of the pieces and elements from her project can be seen in houses in this neighborhood and around Austin. So it seemed like a perfect way to do something for her," says Thompson.
Now Taylor will be building a home for a low-income family in her name. It's a project he and his mother once talked about doing together. So far, he has raised $85,000 with the community's help. The home will be finished around May, which is a blessing for Annette Lopez who will be moving in.
"It was a long process, a long wait and a lot of setbacks but I'm here today," says Annette Lopez, receiving home.
Taylor and Annette met Saturday for the first time. In celebrating one life, he is now changing someone else's for the better.
"I think it's awesome for him to continue his mom's dream," says Lopez.
"I've been working on this project here on earth but she's definitely been pulling the strings up there. So I haven't being doing this project alone," says Thompson.