Vol2_N3

14

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

10

22

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

6

SUPERNOVA FURNITURE

7

THE HOUSTON 2026 MARKET DEMANDS STRATEGY.

14

UNDERSTANDING AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD): REALITIES AND MYTHS

16

THE 2025 BEST OF HOUSTON LATINO AWARDS

18

THE ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS FOR A LASTING MARRIAGE

22 Cover credits: Photography: Gabriel Rodan @gabrielroldan_photography

Nnew year Dear Houston Latino Family,

As we begin a new year, our hearts are filled with gratitude, hope, and excitement for what lies ahead. At Houston Latino Family Magazine, we truly believe that every new year brings a renewed opportunity to strengthen our families, reaffirm our values, and continue building a future rooted in prosperity, unity, and purpose.

Houston is a city built on stories of hard work, resilience, and dreams that crossed borders. It is shaped by families who work tirelessly every day to create better opportunities for the next generation. To each of you, we wish a year filled with health, abundance, and meaningful growth.

We are especially excited about the cover of this edition. It features a powerful and inspiring story about the family behind Supernova Furniture—a true example of what it means to grow together as a family, to build a business with vision, and to create a lasting legacy grounded in values, dedication, and community. Their journey reflects the spirit of so many Latino families in Houston.

Thank you for welcoming us into your homes, for trusting us, and for being part of our extended family. As we step into this new year, we remain committed to sharing stories that inspire, inform, and uplift our community.With pride and appreciation, Laritza García Publisher – Houston Latino Family Magazine

Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you’re a reader, contributor, or partner, your presence and support help us continue building a publication that reflects the heart and strength of our community.

6

houstonlatinofamilymagazine.com

Photos Courtesy: @gabrielroldan_photography

supernova furniture

The family dreams of creating a space for families whose children are facing serious medical challenges The first thing most people notice when they walk into Supernova Furniture isn’t a sofa or a dining set. It’s the dinosaurs.

Life-sized figures are scattered throughout the store, surprising firsttime visitors and delighting children who tug their parents toward them.

For the family behind Supernova, the dinosaurs are intentional. They represent imagination, joy, and the belief that a furniture store doesn’t have to feel stiff or transactional. It can feel welcoming. It can feel alive.

8

houstonlatinofamilymagazine.com

Photos Courtesy: Dulce Naranja Studios

That philosophy has guided Supernova Furniture from the beginning.

Before there was a storefront, the founders were building separate careers. One worked as a geologist.

The other was an executive secretary. On weekends, they loaded merchandise into their vehicle and sold it at a flea market in the southern part of the city.

She had never sold anything before. In her very first month, she made seven sales.

It was a signal.

Encouraged by that early success, they made a decision that felt risky at the time but obvious in hindsight. They left their professions and committed to building something together. Supernova Furniture was born on July 24, 1986, a date they still remember clearly. What started as a weekend operation slowly grew into a full-time family business.

From the beginning, family shaped every decision. With six children, the store was never just a workplace. It was where life happened. Bringing their children to the business wasn’t about convenience. It was about teaching them how to work, how to treat people, and how to stay grounded when things were hard.

The children grew up watching the highs and the setbacks. They saw long days, difficult decisions, and moments when the path forward wasn’t clear.

Growth didn’t come in a straight line, and success never arrived without effort. Those lessons stayed with them. Today, all six children are entrepreneurs, working alongside their parents and carrying the business forward as a shared legacy.

Challenges were never avoided. When something wasn’t working, the family sat down together and talked it through. Sometimes the answer was to adjust. Sometimes it was to try again. Often, it was simply to keep going. Faith played a central role in those moments. They didn’t always have certainty, but they trusted one another and moved forward together.

As the children got older, their voices mattered more. Conversations expanded. Opinions were heard.

Respect and communication became part of how the family operated, both at home and in business.

Facing difficulties together strengthened more than the company. It strengthened their bond.

Supernova Furniture was never meant to be just a place to buy furniture. From early on, the family saw the store as a way to create opportunity, particularly within the Hispanic community.

Photos Courtesy: @gabrielroldan_photography

Their team includes people from Cuba, Venezuela, and many other countries. Employees aren’t treated as interchangeable labor. They’re treated as part of the family.

Quality has always been non-negotiable. That applies to the products, the pricing, and the way customers are treated. While the family is deeply proud of their country, they travel internationally to find the best materials and designs at fair prices. Their goal is simple: take care of people well.

That commitment doesn’t end when a sale is completed. If a customer has an issue years later, they answer the phone. They fix what needs fixing. Sometimes that means repairing furniture in the store. Sometimes it means showing up at a customer’s home. Trust matters to them, and they protect it carefully. Over time, many customers stop feeling like customers at all. They become friends.

In an industry crowded with competitors selling similar products, Supernova stands apart by refusing to rush or pressure anyone.

Customers are guided, not pushed. The family believes no one should walk out with furniture they can’t afford or don’t feel good about. Longterm relationships matter more than short-term wins.

They also work hard to offer pieces customers won’t find everywhere else. While many stores rely on identical designs from the same suppliers, Supernova focuses on originality, durability, and thoughtful design. Better quality. Better service.

Consistency over flash.

Looking ahead, their vision reaches beyond furniture. The family dreams of creating a space for families whose children are facing serious medical challenges. A place where parents and siblings can stay together while their child receives treatment. A place that offers transportation, comfort, and moments of joy during overwhelming seasons.

10

houstonlatinofamilymagazine.com

Photos Courtesy: @gabrielroldan_photography

They imagine gardens, play areas, and yes, dinosaurs. Even in the hardest moments, children deserve wonder.

For Latino families dreaming of building something together, their message is uncomplicated and honest.

Don’t give up. Hard seasons will come.

What matters is staying united.

After more than 40 years of marriage and working side by side, they believe success isn’t built alone. It’s built through family, faith, and the willingness to keep going when quitting would be easier. Supernova Furniture isn’t just a business.

It’s a life’s work, shared across generations. teamwork—how we trust each other, our staff, and our clients. When communication flows, everything else follows.”

Photos Courtesy: @gabrielroldan_photography

The Houston 2026 market demands strategy.

The Houston real estate market in 2026 will be a landscape of both opportunities and challenges, but with one certainty: homeownership will require more strategy and less luck.

The metropolitan area’s unstoppable demographic growth, largely driven by the Hispanic community, will keep demand high, requiring first-time buyers to adopt a more sophisticated plan of attack.

The first major opportunity will arrive with the expected stabilization of interest rates. Although home prices will remain high, a “minirefinance wave” is projected. Buyers acquiring property today should not feel trapped; their long-term success will depend on choosing a partner committed to monitoring their loan and “resetting” their mortgage in 2026, ensuring their payments adjust to future rate drops.

14

houstonlatinofamilymagazine.com

However, the biggest factor for success will be specialization. The vast majority of new buyers in Houston operate outside conventional lending programs, either as business owners or using an ITIN instead of an SSN. For these families, a traditional bank is not enough. They will need an expert who not only speaks Spanish but also understands and masters Bank Statement programs and DACA loans, successfully translating a unique financial history into an approval.

Finally, the key to affordability in 2026 will be the strategic use of Down Payment Assistance (DPA). The best mortgage experts in Houston will not be those offering the lowest rate, but those who can find subsidies and free money to cover closing costs.

In a market demanding deep knowledge of niche programs and a unique bicultural understanding, choosing a team with a clear mission to serve and empower the Latino community is the smartest step toward homeownership in Texas.

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Realities and Myths By: Osniel Urquijo · Psychologist

The most recent studies indicate that 1 in 100 children presents with autism. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as a neurodevelopmental disorder that appears in childhood, characterized by persistent challenges in communication and social interaction, as well as by patterns of restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests.

The term “spectrum” is key, as it highlights the wide variability in its presentation. Each person with ASD is unique, with their own strengths and needs, even though they share these central difficulties. The WHO goes further, emphasizing that autism is an expression of human diversity and should not be viewed solely from a clinical perspective. Early identification and support are crucial for improving the quality of life for these individuals.

Debunking Common Myths about ASD The first myth we must discard is the idea that autism is a contagious disease. ASD is not a disease, but a developmental condition of multifactorial origin. It is not transmitted to other children.

Another misconception is the one that claims autism is caused by bad parenting. Autism is not a reflection of parenting skills, love, or the efforts of caregivers; every family dedicates their best efforts. Thirdly, the belief that autism can be cured is also false.

However, early intervention and evidence-based therapies, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), can significantly improve the quality of life by fostering essential skills, promoting independence, and reducing challenging behaviors.

It is also a myth that people with autism are inherently violent. Aggressive manifestations may arise due to frustration, communication difficulties, sensory sensitivities, or when facing situations they do not understand or when their needs are suppressed. It is vital to observe them to know and understand their needs and overcome their communication limitations. This misconception fails to recognize the diverse range of behaviors and challenges experienced. The important thing is that, when we encounter or hear about children with autistic traits, our attitude should always be one of understanding, respect, and empathy toward a reality that is part of human diversity.

16

houstonlatinofamilymagazine.com

AWARDS

18

PHOTO

e Best of Th Best Nonprofit Organization

19

AWARDS

20

houstonlatinofamilymagazine.com

PHOTO

AWARDS

PHOTO

The Essential Ingredients for a Lasting Marriage By: Eukarys Sebastia. · Shepherdess ofCarismah Church (Katy) & Casa de oración (Spring)

We all dream of the ideal marriage. When we are single, we fantasize about finding the perfect person, but upon entering into marriage, we are surprised to discover situations, behaviors, and attitudes that gradually dissipate the utopian perfection we imagined. Over the years, I have learned that for a good marriage to exist, several essential elements must be present.

Just as a beautiful and delicious cake requires good ingredients, the right tools, an optimal environment, and an excellent pastry chef, marriage also needs fundamental components to sustain what is built day by day.

The first and most important ingredient is love. And not just any love, but the kind of love that defines our foundations as strong or weak; the one that allows what has been built to remain firm over time and fulfill its purpose. Scripture teaches us what this love is like: patient, kind, tolerant, true; a love that bears all things, that is not envious or proud, that is not easily provoked, that keeps no record of wrongs, that does not act rudely, that does not delight in evil, that always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres (1 Corinthians 13:4–7). If this type of love remains alive in the marriage, the foundation will be firm and resilient against any adversity.

The necessary tools are integrity and loyalty toward our partner. These, accompanied by daily effort and constant attention to detail, become the instruments that construct the layers, the frosting, and the fillings of that “cake” which is our marriage and the family we are forming.

The appropriate environment is respect and commitment toward the person we love. The promise to stay together must be remembered every day. It is simple to keep when everything is going well, but when difficult times come when money is scarce, when illness arises, when a job is lost, when differences appear, when the body changes, or when old age arrives it is easier to forget what was promised. Our commitment cannot depend on fleeting emotions or feelings; it must be a firm decision that generates security and trust, affirming that we are here to stay.

Finally, there is the presence of the best Pastry Chef, the Architect and Designer par excellence: God. He took the initiative to create marriage because He knows its importance and purpose. I can assure you that His active presence directing, guiding, teaching, transforming, and uniting all these elements in harmony guarantees that our marriages can overcome any situation. With Him, there will be humility to ask for forgiveness, to change what causes harm, and to heal what has been wounded.

God is interested in blessing us, in giving us the best, and in having us enjoy a beautiful, solid marriage full of hope.

RAMPS YOU CAN TRUST SINCE 1991 PVI Manufacturing

Prairie View Industries stands as the world’s premier manufacturer of multifold aluminum wheelchair ramps, crafted right here in the USA. PVI produces the finest quality ramps on today’s market, with each product rigorously tested to a 3X safety factor, delivering unmatched strength-to-weight performance.

We take pride in our product lines being Made in the USA and fully ADA Compliant, and we stand behind our craftsmanship with a comprehensive Limited Lifetime Warranty for your complete peace of mind.

Scan to View Ramp Solutions

Prairie View Industries 1-800-554-7267(RAMP) pvimanufacturing.com

26

houstonlatinofamilymagazine.com

Don’t stop exploring your home loan options.

Planning to purchase a new home, investment property or refinance?

Trustmark has experienced mortgage professionals, provides a variety of loan options and offers online tools to help make the process easier.

To get started, apply online today at trustmark.com/mortgage.

Yvonne Ovalle Community Lending Specialist 281.745.2040 Mobile yovalle@trustmark.com NMLS# 555011

Year-Round Lessons.

Lifelong Results.

• 3 months old - adults • Small lesson sizes • Highly-trained instructors

• 40+ years of experience • Special Abilities Programs, Young Adults & Adult lessons available

Call or Scan to Enroll Today! 832-631-6520