So’nita was born in Riviera Beach and lived there until March of 2009 when she moved to Stuart to marry her husband Terrance. Terrance lived in Fort Pierce for 30 years and he moved to Stuart in 2008.

So’nita has four children. Three daughters: Shniece, 18; Shanaya, 9; and Sharmane, 8; and a son, Rodney, 22, who no longer lives at home.

Terrance graduated from Fort Pierce Central and after graduation enlisted in the Army and served for 11 years. He now puts in long hours working as a production manager for Cassidy Ice. He is quiet by nature and in his free time he enjoys working on the computer and is a good cook and enjoys grilling.

So’nita works for Kentucky Fried Chicken and attends Indian River State College for business education classes. She stays very busy with work, school and family. Her daughter Shniece also attends IRSC and is working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education.

So’nita believes that giving her life over to God has made all the difference. She lets God guide her and her life has become very positive. She feels that moving to Stuart and marrying Terrance have all been God’s plan for her and her life continues to follow the path that God puts forth. They are members of Mount Calvary Church and she is a member of the choir.

She heard about Habitat for Humanity from a friend and felt that getting a home for her family would be a wonderful opportunity and a dream come true. She says, "Habitat has been God’s blessing to this family. We would like to thank Sue Michas, our mentor, Sonia Snyder, Peggy Bennett, Mary Jones and Susan MacDonald for all their help.”

Margaret Blatch is ready for a new journey. She and her 15 year old son, Travon, recently moved into their new home and they are full of excitement and hope for the future. Margaret has been a Rehabilitation Nursing Assistant at Salerno Bay Manors for the past 13 years where her patients describe her as "compassionate and caring."

Margaret has lived in Martin County since age 3 and is following the example of her mother, Florence Blatch, in becoming a homeowner. Florence encouraged Margaret to apply for a Habitat home and has been a great support to her throughout the process. In addition, Margaret’s two sons, Kairo, who lives on his own and Travon, attended home owner classes with Margaret to show their support.

Margaret says, "I’m excited about becoming a Habitat homeowner, a goal that seemed so far out of reach. This journey has been amazing and unbelievable. Being a Habitat homeowner means there are a lot of new responsibilities, new adventures as well as new beginnings. It seems like yesterday that we were putting on the roof and now the house is finished. Words can’t express how thankful I am for all the help, prayers and kind words of encouragement. I truly thank you all. To God be the glory.”

The Blatch home is Habitat for Humanity of Martin County's third green home!

Okeland and Sheila Shirley are excited and thankful to God for their Habitat home. "It’s a blessing,” the Shirleys said. They have three children, Olivia (13), Okeria (11) and Omarion (4), and they attend JD Parker Elementary School. The Shirley’s attend Stuart Church of God and when asked about how she feels about the whole process of building her home, Sheila said, "We have to give credit to God.”

Sheila has lived in Martin County for 43 years. Okeland moved to the United States about 17 years ago and is originally from Jamaica. Okeland has worked at the Manors of Hobe Sound for the past 13 years as a floor tech. Sheila is a certified nurse assistant and has worked in various skilled nursing facilities and has worked as a home health aide. They are both hardworking individuals and are happy that they can have a home for their children.

Sheila and Okeland are grateful to all of the volunteers. Sheila said, "The volunteers are so wonderful and everybody is so nice, God brought people closer together.”

The Shirley home is Habitat for Humanity of Martin County's second certified green home!

Leonardo Rodriguez was born in Puerto Rico and came to the United States with his mother and settled in New York City. In 1980, Leo returned to Puerto Rico and married. Leo is the proud father of seven children; two of them here in Florida, and the others in Puerto Rico. He is also a grandfather four times over!

Leo returned to the United States in 2007 with his son Joshua. He settled in Stuart and quickly found a job at Publix. Joshua, who just graduated from Martin County High has also just recently found employment with Publix and is attending Indian River State College.

Having a home of his own has always been a dream for Leo. In fact, Leo's home is a certified green home - Habitat for Humanity of Martin County's first!

Leo and Joshua have been willing volunteers at several of our Habitat homes as well as their own. They are very grateful to all of the volunteers who have helped build their Habitat home.

Luis and Maribel have five children, Jessica, 7; Luz, 5; Luis, 4; Xavier, 2; and Brian, 1.

They have been residents of Indiantown for many years.

Janet Rosado, an Indiantown Habitat homeowner and a relative of Maribel’s suggested they apply for a Habitat house.

Luis has been employed by Louis Dreyfus Citrus Inc. for two years. Maribel stays home and keeps busy caring for their five children who attend three different schools.

They are very excited about their new four bedroom home. They are thankful to have a home they can call their own where their children can grow up.

Aida Quintero was born and raised in Puerto Rico. In 1982, her family moved from Puerto Rico to New York where she met her husband, Eddie Cabrera. They have been married for 26 years. They came to Florida in 1999 to visit Aida’s sister and they liked it so much that they moved here in January of 2001.

Aida obtained her GED in 2001 and began working for Martin County Schools as a teacher assistant. She is now employed with the East Coast Migrant Head Start Program. Eddie has a full time job with Villa and Sons Landscaping and even though he works full time, he still finds time to work on neighbors’ or friends’ cars.

Gardening is Aida’s hobby and she always dreamed about getting away from the city and having a home of her own where she could have a yard and a garden. She wanted to be able to sit outside and enjoy her garden and the beautiful weather while Eddie worked on his cars.

They got the idea to apply for a Habitat house while volunteering to help build a Habitat house for a family member. They felt that all they could do was take the chance and apply. They had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Eddie and Aida would like to take this moment to thank Habitat for Humanity of Martin County for helping them make their dream come true. They are thankful for all the hard work done by the Habitat staff and volunteers that worked to help build their home.

Alisena and Gilbert Payoute and their three children, James, 11; Marco, 10; and Alden, 2, are very excited about their new Habitat home.

Alisena came to Florida in 2001 from Haiti. She has many members of her immediate family living in the Stuart/Martin County area and she stayed with her parents in Indiantown for two years until she moved to the Crossings apartment complex in Stuart. Since Gilbert was unable to get his immigration papers until 2009, she went back and forth to Haiti to visit him.

Alisena heard about Habitat for Humanity from her brother who urged her to apply. At the same time, Gilbert was finally able to legally immigrate to the USA. Alisena applied as soon as Gilbert arrived and they were approved. Alisena has worked at Tequesta Terrace as a nursing assistant for four years. Gilbert was able to secure employment with Allcon Networks.

Alisena and Gilbert are taking classes at Indian River State College to improve their English. She and Gilbert are grateful to have a home for their family.

Amanda has worked for three years at CVS Pharmacy in Hobe Sound as a pharmacy technician. She really enjoys working in the pharmacy and interacting with the customers. The CVS staff has been very supportive in helping her to achieve her goals.

Amanda attends Indian River State College working towards gaining her Associate of Science degree in radiography. She wants to be an example to her children and show them that anything can be achieved by applying yourself.

"I am so excited to have been chosen for the annual Habitat Women Build and very grateful to all of the wonderful people who have worked side by side with me to make owning my own home a reality,” Amanda said.