Blog
Meet the Ruffin Family - HELP THEM BUILD!
Friday, July 9, 2010
We'd like to introduce the Ruffin Family: Teresa Ruffin, her son and two daughters
Help them build their home in: St. Petersburg
We are still raising money to fund the building of this home. Donate TODAY!
 HABITAT: What has your living situation been like for your and your family?
TERESA: We've moved around so much trying to keep up with the cost of rent. There were times when we didn't have insurance because we had to pay rent.
HABITAT: What about sweat equity and being on a construction site has surprised you?
TERESA: The nailgun is my FAVORITE tool! At first I didn't understand that I would be building homes for other families. I'm excited about helping and about building our own home.
HABITAT: What will your Habitat home mean to you and your family?
TERESA: It will mean not having to pick up and move. It will be a place to call our own.
HABITAT: What are you most looking forward to about your home?
TERESA: I've been a CNA for years, but I what I really want to do is open a day care. I'm going to call it Happy Days Day Care.
"My kids know I am doing this for them. The harder you work and the more you put your mind into something, the more it means." - Teresa Ruffin
By: Jamie Cataldo
Meet the Davis Family - HELP THEM BUILD!
Friday, July 9, 2010
We'd like to introduce the Davis Family: Tamara Davis, her daughter and two sons
Help them build their home in: St. Petersburg in August
We are still raising money to fund the building of this home. Donate TODAY!
 HABITAT: Tell us about your family.
TAMARA: I am the mother of three vibrant and crafty children; two of them being bustling teenagers (15-year-old son, 14-year-old daughter) and the other one a sweet 8-year-old son. My children seem to think I am old, but the last time I checked, 36 is not old. We love to laugh together and one of our favorite things to do is dining out. We don’t dine out often, but when we do, we really enjoy it. When my teenagers were young, we had a rough life living with my abusive ex-husband. To see how we have all triumphed over that is absolutely amazing and surely a blessing from God!
HABITAT: Has your living situation been challenging for your and your family?
TAMARA: The four of us have lived in a two-bedroom apartment for the last nine years. (We lived in a different apartment until we lost everything in a fire.) While our apartment is clean and in decent condition, it is VERY cramped. I sleep in the master bedroom with my daughter and the boys share the second bedroom. No one has any space to breathe. The challenge for me as a mom is keeping peace in a crowded apartment, while wanting to give my kids the best life possible.
HABITAT: Tell us about the moment you were told that you were accepted into the program.
TAMARA: Well, I really wanted to scream, but I was driving and on my cell phone at the time that I got the call. Neither of these two is conducive to screaming. So, I just waited until I got off the phone and screamed anyway!
HABITAT: How do you imagine your life and your future will be different with a Habitat home?
TAMARA: I already have a renewed sense of pride as a homeowner candidate. I can leave a legacy of accomplishment to my children and instill the value of homeownership.
HABITAT: Is there anything in particular you are looking forward to?
TAMARA: A brand spanking new washer and dryer! You have no idea how much work it is carrying laundry up and down three flights of stairs for a family of four! I’m also looking forward to decorating, raising my children in our HOUSE, and celebrating. I will embrace EVERYTHING about homeownership.
HABITAT: Why are you building?
TAMARA: I am building because in God’s word, He promises a house. My life is built on faith and I trust God to perform His word. He’s blessing me with a new home, which is more than my little old mind could’ve imagined.
HABITAT: Complete this sentence: My house will be…
TAMARA: My house will be filled with love. The construction of my home is done in love so naturally, the finished product has to be filled with love. My house will be a beautiful and living example to many that you should never give up on your dreams. It’s never too late to start over.
Throughout the entire process, I believed in a particular scripture, Isaiah 65:21, which says “They shall build houses and live in them. They shall plant a vineyard and eat of their fruit.” This scripture has helped me to be confident in the fact that I will be a homeowner. - Tamara Davis
By: Jamie Cataldo
Meet the Dawson Family
Friday, July 2, 2010
 We'd like to introduce the Dawson Family: Tina Dawson and her four sons
Help them build their home in: Clearwater
We are still raising money to fund the building of this home. Donate TODAY!
HABITAT: What is your current living situation like for you and your family?
TINA: We are living with my mom. There are eight people sharing three rooms and one bathroom. It's hard to get any quiet.
HABITAT: What are you most looking forward to?
TINA: I've gone to so many dedications. One day it will be my turn, and I will be at my own. I can't wait.
Meet the Johnson Family - BUILD COMPLETE!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
 We'd like to introduce: Kelly Johnson and her three energetic sons.
Family sponsored by: Valpak
This family has a new home! Check out the photos from their dedication.
Kelly Johnson has found hope. It’s the hope that comes with the end of an abusive marriage. The hope that bubbles up when a family goes through a period of healing and transformation. It’s a hope that Kelly feels was ushered into her life thanks to the Habitat Pinellas program.
Kelly was able to find help and support through domestic violence programs, but when it was time to take the next step, she didn’t know where to turn.
“We thought we were going to be living in a cardboard box,” says Kelly. Waitlists for Section 8 Housing and other programs to support moms in her situation were full.
“I had to sit down with the boys and talk about what it would be like if the four of us had to live in a studio apartment,” she says. Habitat offered an unbelievable solution -- a home, bedrooms, a safe place for her kids and a neighborhood.
Along with sweat equity hours and caring for her three energetic sons, Kelly keeps busy working as a fitness trainer, hosting an online children’s ministry and writing books. She is finishing up her degree in Exercise Science and is planning to get her master’s to become a professor. Kelly is ready for a bright future.
“I’m excited about this neighborhood. I’ve already met my neighbors. We’ve been on ladders together!” - Kelly Johnson
By: Jamie Cataldo
Meet the Figueroa Family - BUILD COMPLETE!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
 We'd like to introduce: Carmen and Jose Figueroa. This loving family includes their three children, two grandchildren and Carmen's brother.
Family sponsored by: Tech Data - Check out photos of them building this home!
This family has a new home! Check out the photos from their dedication.
As the sun shines down on the build site, Carmen Figueroa faces the home she has been helping to build. Her hard hat in hand, a thin layer of sawdust covers her shirt. Carmen’s husband has been here building. One of their sons has been here building. Soon they will be building their own Habitat home — together. The family is ready for some of that sun to shine in their direction.
“When I found out about Habitat, I was so excited,” Carmen says. “I thought, ‘This is something I can do.’” Eager to find stability for their family, the Figueroas applied. But fate always had something else in store, and family emergencies repeatedly kept them one step away from finalizing the application process.
After watching cancer take the lives of two of her siblings and fighting an out-of-state custody battle for a mentally handicapped brother, Carmen was focused on “not giving up.”
“My life is so crazy, but I’m always smiling,” Carmen says. She stuck with it and eventually
was accepted. Finally, a fresh start.
“My kids are so proud,” she says. The oldest son has volunteered on sites. The youngest improved his grades from Ds to Bs, which will also earn hours for the family.
“Finally we will have our family all together in a place we can call our own,” Carmen says.
“I’m going to be a homeowner. I never thought I could do that in my life. My kids are so proud.” - Carmen Figueroa
By: Jamie Cataldo
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