Josh Urista’s journey to a Habitat home is meaningful

As a boy growing up in Los Angeles, Josh Urista never dreamed that one day he’d be raising two daughters in Mariposa, a town he had never even heard of back then.

But things happen.

For Urista, 40, many things have happened, including overcoming addiction and turning that into helping those who struggle, including with homelessness and many other issues.

“It’s been a long ride,” said Urista.

Urista — and his daughters, Luna, 6, and Jaylah, 7 (soon to be 8) — will be the occupants of the newest Mariposa Habitat for Humanity house in Mariposa. That’s another thing Urista never imagined.

The road to Mariposa

Urista’s journey actually began in his hometown of Los Angeles, where for three years he was struggling just to find a job. By 2017, his then-partner delivered an ultimatum, either find work in LA or move to Mariposa.

He moved to Mariposa.

“The kids came right after that,” he said.

And so did Covid.

Intertwined in all of this was Urista’s addiction issues. It’s an issue he openly discusses and one he has conquered.

Also during all of the turmoil, the couple knew they had to

As a boy growing up in Los Angeles, Josh Urista never dreamed that one day he’d be raising two daughters in Mariposa, a town he had never even heard of back then.

But things happen.

For Urista, 40, many things have happened, including overcoming addiction and turning that into helping those who struggle, including with homelessness and many other issues.

“It’s been a long ride,” said Urista.

Urista — and his daughters, Luna, 6, and Jaylah, 7 (soon to be 8) — will be the occupants of the newest Mariposa Habitat for Humanity house in Mariposa.

That’s another thing Urista never imagined.

The road to Mariposa

Urista’s journey actually began in his hometown of Los Angeles, where for three years he was struggling just to find a job. By 2017, his then-partner delivered an ultimatum, either find work in LA or move to Mariposa.

He moved to Mariposa.

“The kids came right after that,” he said.

And so did Covid.

Intertwined in all of this was Urista’s addiction issues. It’s an issue he openly discusses and one he has conquered.

Also during all of the turmoil, the couple knew they had to split. Through court hearings and more, they ended up agreeing to co-parent the girls — which continues pretty well to this day.

By 2022, Urista had landed a pair of jobs.

He worked at High Country Health Foods and also was hired on a part-time basis with the Alliance for Community Transformations. In fact, he still holds both of those positions.

To get to that point, Urista said he had to overcome addiction. He did that on his own, one day waking up and realizing what he was doing wasn’t working — for him or his daughters.

He first lived in an apartment complex near the hospital but now lives out in the country as he awaits the construction to be completed on the new Habitat home, located on Stroming Road.

During that time, as well, he was homeless for a while, living in his car.

He had one goal: “Being stable.”

Through his two jobs and overcoming addiction, Urista had applied before for the Habitat home, but it was given to someone else by the board.

Until it wasn’t.

There was also some tumult within the Habitat organization. That meant delays with the house and a change of circumstances on who would get the home.

“I was so happy,” he said. “I thought it would not happen.”

During the paring down process, he said Habitat officials kept him updated as they narrowed down the people before making a final selection. He was one of two finalists.

“I was super nervous but kind of hopeful,” he said.

When the word came, it was pure joy for Urista and his daughters.

The 1,000 square foot home will feature three bedrooms and two bathrooms. During the interview, he said his daughters were still deciding on whether they wanted to share a bedroom and then have a playroom.

But Jaylah made her view clear: “I want my own room.”

“We can’t wait,” said Urista, noting the home is in a “great spot” right near downtown, the park, the pool and more.

Doing his diligence

As part of obtaining a Habitat home — which Urista is financing through traditional means — he also has to meet certain obligations.

Those include taking classes about fire preparation, finances and more. He’s also been spending as much time as possible at the house doing weed eating and whatever else is necessary.

None of this would have been possible if not for Urista’s life reflections and decisions.

Several times, he said, during the hard times of his life, he thought about giving it all up and going back to LA. He even drove that way more than once.

“I came back every time,” he said.

The reason was simple: his daughters.

“I’d think about the girls,” he said. “That is the number one reason.”

He said his daughters have “changed my life for the better,” including bettering himself.

“I’ve gotten myself healthier,” he said. “I am in a better place.”

He also reflects back on his addiction, saying at the time, the drugs made him not understand what he was doing to his life — and those of his daughters.

“I did not realize what it was doing to my parenting,” he said.

He told himself it was “not right” and “not how to live.”