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Our Families
The Parker Family
Erica's children are her pride and joy. her 18 yrs old son , currently attends Kent Boarding School in Kent, Connecticut. Her 15 yrs old daughter attends South Fork High School, where she holds a 4.0 GPA and is ranked #2 in her class. Her 14 old daughter, attends Murray Middle School, where he loves playing football, dancing, and maintaining good grades, with Algebra being his favorite subject.
Erica applied for Habitat for Humanity back in 2013. “I first heard about Habitat when the homes were being built in Hobe Sound. I was too young to apply or know the full concept of being a homeowner, but I always had a passion to get “One of those homes”,” Erica said.
Erica applied for Habitat for Humanity back in 2013. “I first heard about Habitat when the homes were being built in Hobe Sound. I was too young to apply or know the full concept of being a homeowner, but I always had a passion to get “One of those homes”,” Erica said.
Erica is excited, nervous, and blessed to become a homeowner. She is excited about change and growth for her family, nervous to be her own landlord, and blessed to have something to call her own. Once she purchases her home, her family will have peace of mind, stability, and know that they will always have a safe place to call home.
“Becoming a homeowner will make a huge difference in our lives. When you are comfortable in a nice head space mentally you will be 100% better physically and emotionally” Erica said. “Becoming a homeowner will change our worlds completely.
The Mendoza Family
Florentino and Angelia oldest child is a Junior at Martin County High School where participates in the medical program and is part of the HOSA medical club. He is in Honors and AICE classes and dreams of, one day, becoming a trauma surgeon. Their 11 years old is in fifth grade at Port Salerno Elementary and loves all things vehicles, construction, and planes. He dreams of becoming a firefighter when he grows up. Their youngest daughter is in second grade at Port Salerno Elementary, loves to sing, draw, and do crafts, and dreams of becoming a trauma surgeon like her older brother.
Angelica is currently a homemaker while Florentino has worked as a roofer at Jupiter Roofing since 2005. They attend Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Stuart and enjoy spending time as a family playing card games, watching movies outdoors, listening to music, dancing, having water balloon fights, cooking, and baking together.
Despite the challenges they have faced, Florentino and Angelica are grateful for their blessings and have built a beautiful life together with their children. They continue to work hard to provide for their family and look forward to a bright future filled with love and happiness.
We would like to say that we are so grateful for the opportunity to become Habitat Homeowners. It has always been a dream of ours to own a home one day,” Angelica said. “From being teenaged parents, to living in our car for a while when Miguelangel was two-years old, to be able to come as far as we have is such a blessing and we recognize that God has everything to do with all that we have. We are so grateful to Habitat for giving us the chance, and making our dreams a reality of owning our own home.”
The Bravo-Perez Family
Zoila and Geronimo, have been living in a small, two-bedroom house that they find uncomfortable for their family of six.
“We moved to Hobe Sound because all of our children either graduated from or are attending, Hobe Sound Christian Academy,” Zoila said. “My kids have good grades in school and they enjoy school. All four of them have taken music lessons.”
Zoila works as a janitor at a school and has been there for nine years, while Geronimo works in landscaping and has been with his company for three years. Their family enjoys spending quality time together, such as going out to dinner or engaging in fun activities.
They learned about Habitat for Humanity's homeownership program and are very excited and grateful to have qualified for the program. They look forward to having a new home with more space for their family. Becoming homeowners is a dream come true for them.
“We are very happy and it is a dream that we thought we would never reach. What we are looking forward to the most is the rooms and the space that the house is going to have. Becoming homeowners will make a significant difference in our lives and our family's future,” Zoila said. “My family is very happy and God had a plan for us at the beginning! We are proud to own a home that was once just a dream. Habitat, thank you for believing in us and helping our dream come true. We hope God blesses your work, today and always. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to Habitat for Humanity of Martin County.”
THE RODRIGUEZ FAMILY
Leyshla has embarked on an incredible journey that brought her to Martin County nearly a decade ago. It's a journey filled with love, family, dreams, and an unwavering determination to create a better life for her and her daughters.
The heart of her world revolves around her two beautiful daughters, her 13-years old, is a budding artist with a passion for creativity. Her dedication to her studies fills Leyshla with pride, and she cannot wait to see the incredible future that awaits her. Her five-year-old is a bundle of energy who adores gymnastics and has a natural affinity for math. Watching her grow and learn is a joy that fills Leyshla’ s heart with happiness.
“Becoming a Habitat homeowner is an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. It's not just about owning a home; it's about providing my children with the security and stability they deserve. This journey is not just about bricks and mortar; it's about growing as a parent and strengthening the bonds of our family,” Leyshla said.
The things that Leyshla and her daughters look forward to the most with their new home is the freedom to arrange everything just the way they want it, the ability to manage finances and save for the future.
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THE BARNES FAMILY
Jessica has two daughters, a 14-year-old, and her 10-year-old. The Barnes family is a close-knit group, surrounded by the children's maternal grandparents, an aunt, and 11 cousins, who have been a significant part of their strong family bond and love. They are also active members of the Port Salerno Church of God family, which has played a vital and positive role in their lives.
The oldest daughter is an avid reader and has always been an excellent student, consistently on the Honor Roll or Principal's Honor Roll year after year. She is currently enrolled in her high school's Engineering Program, along with several Advanced Placement (AP) classes. She is a team player, a born leader, and a great friend to anyone. Her love for horses has led her to volunteer her time at the barn to help kids learn to ride.
Her younger daughter has a personality like no other. She has a big heart and loves being a part of her school's plays and programs. She joined the Cheerleading team for the second year in a row, loves soccer and volleyball, and this year joined the Cross-Country team. She is a brilliant student in school and enjoys most subjects. She also loves her guinea pigs, Bacon Seed and Boomerang.
Jessica works as an office assistant and volunteers at her church and loves spending time with her family and friends.
“I am excited and blessed beyond favor for the opportunity to become a Habitat homeowner,” Jessica said. “For my family, it means having a home of our own, where we can create new memories and live comfortably.”
THE DAMPIER FAMILY
The Dampier family is a church-going family and is actively involved in their community. The olest duaghter is a kind and helpful child who is mature for her age. Their 8 year-old son is gifted in school, and their 3 year-old daughter is very smart for her age. As a family, they love watching movies, going to the park, and attending church.
“We are excited about becoming a Habitat for Humanity homeowners,” Urbanus said. “It's a lot of work but also rewarding. It means a new adventure, a place we can call our own and a home we can pass down to our children someday.”
Once they purchase their Habitat home, the Dampier family is looking forward to having more space, living in a safe area, and coming home to a house that they own.
“Becoming a homeowner will make a difference in our lives because it's a dream come true, and it's something we thought would never happen,” Urbanus said. “We are grateful to God for making a way through Habitat for Humanity.”
THE KIVLIN FAMILY
A single mother, blessed with four beautiful children—three wonderful, wild boys and one sassy, sweet little girl, Kayla is looking forward to a home to call her own.
Her oldest, 13 year-old is a bright young man who has achieved several A and B honor rolls and excels in basketball and fishing. Her 10 year-old son is incredibly tech-savvy, excels in math, and once ran an 80-yard touchdown. Her 9 year-old son was born a preemie and is the most kind-hearted and compassionate child, Kayla said. He is naturally talented in everything he tries, from riding a bike without training wheels on his first try to mastering new skills quickly. Her 4 year-old daughter is a bilingual bundle of energy—her first language is Spanish. She is both a tomboy and a girly girl, equally happy riding a four-wheeler or playing dress-up.
Kayla is the eldest of four children. Her mother is a Habitat for Humanity of Martin County homeowner, living in one of the first built by Habitat about 18 years ago in Indiantown. Growing up in a single-parent household was not easy, but they managed, and those experiences shaped who Kayla is today. The family attends Revive Church in Stuart and tries to fill their lives with simple joys—spending time together, traveling for basketball games, movie nights, and trips to the park, pool, or beach. The children are part of a wonderful non-profit basketball program called Inspiration Basketball, also known as The TC Kings.
Kayla first applied for a Habitat home eight years ago knowing that homeownership was her best hope for stability. At that time, she was a single mother of four, working full-time, living paycheck to paycheck, and without a degree. She knew that if she were ever to provide her children with a stable home, it would be through owning her own house.
THE TINE FAMILY
Nicole is devoted to her family, inluding her home ever since and is devoted to her family, including her three children.
With a passion for video games and mechanics, her 15 year-old daughter enjoys spending time with friends and is considering trade school for his interests. Her 12 year-old son is an artistic tomboy who cherishes her alone time, excels in art, and has a quiet, yet perceptive, nature. Her 11 year old daughter, is the outgoing and talented center of attention who thrives in music and dance, embodying independence and responsibility beyond her years.
As a family, they cherish outings like dinners, bowling, and going to the pool, focusing now on saving for a forever home through Habitat for Humanity. Nicole's journey toward homeownership began with the guidance of Jeanne Williams, a beloved family figure who introduced her to the Habitat program and helped navigate the application process.
Owning a Habitat home represents a dream fulfilled for Nicole—a stable, bug-free sanctuary where her children can grow and thrive. It symbolizes financial security, the ability to create cherished memories, and the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy for her family. Nicole's determination, financial responsibility, and unwavering love for her children shine through as she looks forward to this new chapter with gratitude and anticipation.
THE GOMEZ FAMILY
Karina and Joel are blessed by three wonderful children; 11 and 9 year old daughters and a 6 year old son Each child is unique and brings joy to the family in their own way.
The 11 year-old loves arts and crafts and is always eager to explore new hobbies. The 9 yar-old has a deep affection for animals and enjoys spending time outdoors. Meanwhile, their son, curious and energetic, loves learning, playing video games, and passionately follows soccer, especially idolizing Messi. Together, the children share a love for fishing with Joel and fill the home with sweetness and laughter.
Both Joel and Karina are hardworking and committed to providing the best life for their children. Joel works at a golf course in maintenance, while Karina dedicates her days to nurturing young minds as an infant teacher at Banner Lake Early Learning Center, where she has worked for three years. Despite their demanding schedules, the family cherishes time together, enjoying hobbies like fishing, bike riding, trail walking, and exploring new restaurants. “We love to spend time together trying new restaurants and foods,” Karina said.
THE BELL FAMILY
Janae Bell is a mother of four children: 19-year-old daughter and 15-, 5- and 3-year-old sons. Born and raised in Stuart, Janae has been a lifelong resident of Martin County.
Her 19 years old daughter is in her second year of college studying Biology and has dreams of becoming a General Surgeon. Her 15-year-old son , the family’s jokester, is a freshman at South Fork High and plays on the basketball team. Her 5 years old son, a calm and quiet child, excels in school, particularly in Literacy, while her youngest son is shy but charming and attends the YMCA Teddy Bear Academy.
Though her family enjoys simple activities like going to the park, reading, visiting the beach, or taking scenic drives, Janae is also working on personal goals, including returning to college to finish her Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration.
“I am really looking forward to a good night's rest in a real bed and the happiness on my children's faces when they see they can sleep in their very own rooms in their own beds and not on a couch or air mattress on the floor,” she said. “I also cannot wait to cook a home-cooked meal for them.”
With the stability that homeownership will bring, Janae looks forward to reducing the stress of moving and renting and improving her children’s educational outcomes. The opportunity to own a home will provide a foundation to build equity and ensure a better future for her children, marking a new chapter of hope and success for the Bell family.
