For the past two years, the Krumfolz family has called a dilapidated, modified workshop behind a trailer, “home.” With only a curtain to separate the single bedroom from the rest of the living quarters and a single, decade-old window A/C unit, it was what the Krumfolz’s could afford. Both native Floridians, Michael and Sissy met as high school sweethearts and reconnected again in college. They married in February 2016 and welcomed their son, William, one year later.

Michael has worked as a Bio-Diesel Technician for Genuine Bio-Fuel in Indiantown for three years. Sissy is working in her dream field of marine biology as a Saltwater Aquarist at Fintastic Aquariums in Jensen Beach for more than five years. Michael and Sissy stagger their work schedules to make sure one of them is always home with 2-year-old William. With an exponentially increasing vocabulary and a love of the outdoors, William keeps his mom and dad on their toes!

When Sissy’s mother came across as sign announcing the site of future Habitat for Humanity of Martin County homes, she encouraged Sissy to apply for homeownership.

“Upon initially applying, I never thought we would get approved. Like most things in our life, it seemed too good to be true,” Sissy said. “I never thought in a million years that such good fortune as getting accepted would come our way but I’m proud to say that we have been so blessed.”   

As strong believers in hard work and not accepting handouts, Michael and Sissy are greatly appreciative of the hand-up they are receiving.

“We love working hard, getting physical and getting our hands dirty, being part of the community, and making a real difference in the lives of those around us,” Michael said.

The Krumfolz’s are hard at work on their required 300 hours of sweat equity and attending classes before purchasing their home in Stuart.

“Becoming a homeowner will change our story for the better. This will improve daily life inconceivably in the smallest ways. We will not be infested with mold and giant mosquitos, my son can have his own room, and we will not be fighting the heat with a 10-year-old window air conditioning unit,” Sissy said about the opportunity to own their own home. “It will allow us to divert our money to important things such as health care, insurance, etc. that we cannot afford at the time. It is a guarantee that we can stay in the place that our hearts love for the rest of our lives. We look forward to being lifelong partners of Habitat for Humanity. We are so grateful for the sponsors, donors, and volunteers that made this all possible.”

After purchasing their Habitat home, Sissy plans to run for Stuart City Commissioner and move up from there.

“Being a part of local and environmental legislation has always been a dream of mine and I feel that we could be an excellent, caring voice for our neighborhood and nearby cities,” she said.

Alma Farias has worked with the Martin County School District Head Start Program in Indiantown for 12 years. Her daughters Katelyn, 16, and Kimberly, 12, are active in their schools, play sports and enjoy hanging out with their cousins and friends.

                Now, for the first time, they are on the road to homeownership.

                That “someday” they have dreamed about when they can leave the days of government subsidized rental housing behind them is almost here. For the Farias’ the dream of becoming self-sufficient is coming true right before her eyes.

                “We are super excited to be home owners. It means so much to us because we will finally have a home to call our own,” Alma said. “I thought Habitat for Humanity would be a great opportunity for us because it could be something I could afford on my own.”

                Farias is a lifelong Martin County resident. She understands the importance of raising your family in a community that features great schools and offers the chance to build upon your past successes. That is one of the reasons she is so excited to move into Carter Park and start building upon the strength that comes with owning your own home.

“We are very family oriented. As a family we try to be there to support each other at any our special events,” Alma said. “My girls are my everything. I want to give them everything that I didn't have growing up. I want them to do better than what I did.”

That’s why when Janet Rosado, who purchased a previous Women Build home, suggested Alma apply at Habitat for Humanity of Martin County, Alma jumped at the opportunity.

As she works her way through the process of becoming a homeowner, accruing the sweat equity hours and attending classes, she has begun to dream about the possibility her future holds. Decorating a house of her own is one of the goals that keeps her motivated.

 “Owning our own home will make a huge difference,” she said. “I feel like I finally have something to pass down to my children.”

“Ecstatic” is the word Korrine McKnight uses when she describes her and children’s thoughts about becoming Habitat for Humanity of Martin County homeowners. It has been a long, sometimes hard, road for McKnight and her children, but the payoff is well worth the setbacks she said.

             Korrine, 28, a Martin County native grew up in a home with eight brothers and sisters. She will be the first of those siblings to own her own home.

Korrine went to school and has been working at the Florida Health Community Center as a  Registered Medical Assistant. Currently, she and her two children, Adriana, 10, and Adrian, 7, are living in a three-bedroom home, with six other occupants.

“I am ecstatic to become a Habitat homeowner,” she said. “Nothing in the world could        compare to me providing a firm foundation for my children.”

Those children love to have movie nights with their mom and play at the local park. Adriana has a wide variety of interests, including track and field, computer club, art club and music class. Adrian likes cars, airplanes and Legos – “Mommy’s little architect,” as Korrine calls him.

“The one thing they have is common is they both share Mommy’s heart,” she said.

Korrine first heard about Habitat for Humanity of Martin County from people in her community. When she first applied, she did not get approved. Nor did she get discouraged.

“That did not stop me,” she said. “Whatever was needed, I pushed forward to get it done. Today, look where I am. Ready to start a new endeavor.”

She reapplied and was approved, kicking off one of the most exciting chapters in her life.

“My heart races from the thought that when my children look at me they see Mommy the super  hero. It means the world to me,” Korrine said. “For me, nothing is taken for granted. I give thanks always. Being a Habitat homeowner will make an enormous difference in my and my children’s lives. We are looking forward to the first step in our new beginning.”

Courtney Burkhardt was born in Queens, New York. She started elementary school in New York, but moved with her mother to South Florida, where she hoped to find a more affordable cost of living and better schools. They found Martin County and fell in love with Stuart and have lived here for 17 years.

Courtney is a full time mom, living with her two children in a small apartment in South Stuart. Her son Harlon, is six and in kindergarten at Seawind Elementary School. Her daughter Haylen, is four and in preschool at Gertrude Walden Childcare Center.

Courtney works as a bookkeeper for a small impact window and door company located in Stuart. She has been with the company for three years. Prior to this she worked eight years for Ruby Tuesday in Palm City. She continues to pursue a degree in social work.

She and her family are members of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Palm City.

For hobbies, the family prefers to be outdoors and especially near the water. They spend their summer weekends at the pool or the beach. Harlon does judo and plays T-ball while Haylen loves gymnastics.

Courtney heard about the Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program through Daniel Boring, a Habitat employee. She researched what Daniel told her, found out about other families that Habitat had helped and talked with her children’s grandmother to ask her advice. She was surprised to find that her children’s grandmother had obtained her home through the Habitat Homeownership Program.

She knew that as her children grew they would need more living space and, with rent prices climbing, her options were limited. After looking into the program and hearing about other successful Habitat homeowners she was willing to take all the necessary steps to try to get a home for her family.  She felt this might solve many of her problems and be a perfect fit for her. Courtney filled out the application to see what would happen and months later, she was approved for a home.

Courtney wants to give back to her community for all that she has received by volunteering her services and teaching her children the importance of hard work and how it can help them achieve their personal goals.

Courtney says, “I feel very grateful to be approved for a home. It means that I can give my children a sense of stability and a home big enough to grow up in and to make many wonderful memories. For myself, it means having a sense of independence and something I can call my own. I am looking forward to a time when we won’t have to move anymore. Our home will be something to build on and my children will finally have a place they can call home.”

Abraham and Maria Perez each came to the United States with their parents from different cities in Mexico. They call Indiantown there hometown because they have lived there for over 20 years.

On March 22, 2007 Abraham and Maria married and they have four children, Diana 13, J.R. 8, Luis 6, and Leonardo 5. Diana attends Indiantown Middle School. Her siblings attend Warfield Elementary where Diana volunteers in the extended day program.

Maria has worked for the Martin County School District in Indiantown for nine years. For the last five years she has worked for the Parent Resource Center as a member of the support staff. Abraham has worked for Terracon Landscaping Services for the past four years.

Abraham and Maria have extended family in Indiantown. Her sister lives in a Habitat home that will be out her back door and three houses down and her mother and father live very close to Carter Park. The family likes to get together for cookouts and trips to the beach. They are members of Indiantown Holy Cross Catholic Church.

Maria and a coworker volunteer for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. They act as mentors for girls who face adversity. They support their little sisters with whatever their needs are.

Maria and Marcos say “Having volunteers to help build our home is such a warm feeling to know there are still people who are willing to lend a hand to other even for people they do not know. Our family feels blessed to have a home built with kindness and we are very happy to have a house to call our home.  THANK YOU to all who made it possible”.