Joe decided to return to Guatemala as a volunteer. He volunteered over the next two years on 14 different occasions for another non-profit organization. Joe believed if he started his own organization he could be sure that most of each dollar donated went to help the poor. In 2004, From Houses to Homes became a registered 501(c)3 in the state of New Jersey. The first home was built in 2005 by Joe and Oscar, along with the help of 2 young men that Joe had met while volunteering.

We soon realized that housing, education, and healthcare must go hand-in-hand to break the cycle of poverty. “Escuela Kemna'oj” is our Pre K through 9th-grade school, which we have proudly operated since 2011. Many of the families whose children attend the school live in homes constructed by us.

Responding to the need for quality health care we opened up St. Joseph's Clinic in 2011. On average, we treat 300 people a month, with approximately 65% of those being women/girls.