Habitat Families

Safe and affordable housing provides families with a place to gather and grow.

Make a difference!

When families work side by side with our construction staff and volunteers to build their forever home, they are not only building a better community, but they are also building a better life for themselves and the future of their children.

Habitat homes are purchased by families with limited incomes through affordable mortgages. Families partner with Habitat and participate in the construction of their own homes as they prepare for successful homeownership.

FUTURE HOMEOWNERS

David 

VETERAN BUILD

"I believe owning a Habitat home will give Rock and myself true stability for our senior years. The Town of Riverhead is a delightful community and a place I want to call home. To the sponsors and volunteers, what can I say that expresses the overwhelming gratitude that brings tears to my eyes. I can only say THANK YOU."

"I’m a Vietnam veteran who loves construction. After the war, I got into the construction field, but was forced to retire after losing a lung to cancer.

My younger brother, Rock, who has down syndrome is unable to continue living with my sister. When I heard that she was thinking about moving him to a group home, I wanted to step in and care for him, but my studio apartment is far too small for two people. I applied to Habitat for Humanity in hopes that I could secure a safe, affordable home for us.

I believe owning a Habitat home will give Rock and myself true stability for our senior years. The Town of Riverhead is a delightful community and a place I want to call home. To the sponsors and volunteers, what can I say that expresses the overwhelming gratitude that brings tears to my eyes? I can only say thank you."

-David

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Carmen & Starky

"When Habitat called to tell us that we had been selected for their homeownership program all we could do was cry tears of joy. We worked so hard to move here from the Dominican Republic to build a better life for our two kids."

When Habitat called to tell us that we had been selected for their homeownership program, all we could do was cry tears of joy. We had worked so hard to move here from the Dominican Republic to build a better life for our two kids. For years, we had lived in a cramped, contaminated basement apartment where my kids were forced to sleep in the boiler room due to lack of space. To know that they will soon have a safe, clean environment to sleep in, space to enjoy family game night, and a yard to play baseball is very comforting.

We are so grateful to have an opportunity to build a home for ourselves and others. As trade workers, we believe building a future with our own hands is the best way to do it, and as immigrants, we think it’s important to give back to the country that has given so much to us. We are so excited to learn about the construction process alongside sponsors and volunteers as we build this home. Habitat is helping us achieve another wise, unattainable goal of owning a safe and affordable place to raise our family. Owning this home will be a huge accomplishment that will greatly increase our quality of life, our family unity, and our kids' futures.

-Carmen and Starky

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Amanda

"My daughter and I have lived in a small apartment for over 10 years. During this time, we’ve struggled with increasing rents and unresponsive landlords. 

Despite these challenges, I do my best to give my daughter a good foundation by showing her the importance of helping others."

"For over a decade, my daughter and I have lived in a small apartment, navigating through rising rents and unresponsive landlords. Despite these challenges, I strive to instill in my daughter the value of compassion and community service. Every year, we eagerly contribute to Operation Christmas Child, crafting toys for local children with the resources we have.

We understand the significance of giving selflessly to those in need, even when it means sacrificing our own comforts. The generosity of volunteers and sponsors overwhelms us with gratitude for the support they extend to our family. Partnering with Habitat for Humanity is a privilege, as it ensures a secure and permanent dwelling for my daughter, granting her the stability she deserves.

-Amanda

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Mizanoor and Taj

"My two young kids and I live together in a single bedroom. We love spending as much time together as possible—traveling, bowling, and skating. However, sharing a bed with both of them makes it very difficult to get decent sleep."

We are currently renting a room in a house with nine other people. The house is so overcrowded that we have to share a queen size bed with our two young kids. There isn’t even enough space in our room for a crib for our son. We searched a long time for a house to buy, but with our income and the current price of housing on Long Island we were unable to find something affordable.

 

Habitat for Humanity’s program will allow us to own a safe, affordable home with plenty of space for our young family. We are very excited to be able to physically contribute to building the home ourselves as it will set an outstanding example for our children. I hope that after our home is completed we will have the opportunity to build on many other homes so that we can help other families achieve their dreams.

 

THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who donated their time and money to build our dream home. It means so much to us and we wouldn't able to own a home without your support.

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Lakeitha

"My two young kids and I live together in a single bedroom. We love spending as much time together as possible—traveling, bowling, and skating. However, sharing a bed with both of them makes it very difficult to get decent sleep."

"Habitat is a dream come true for my family, and the thought of providing a safe, affordable shelter for my children warms my heart.

My two young kids and I live together in a single bedroom. We love spending as much time together as possible—traveling, bowling, and skating. However, sharing a bed with both of them makes it very difficult to get decent sleep.

Our future is bright, though. I work as a bus operator for MTA, and I have plans to study toward a nursing degree. Soon, we’ll have a house to call our own.

Helping not only myself but also other future homeowners build their dream homes is truly an honor. I’m excited to give back to my community and meet all the volunteers and sponsors.

I want to thank everyone who donated their time and money, helping someone like me create a better future. As Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."

-Lakeisha

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Glenda

"My two young kids and I live together in a single bedroom. We love spending as much time together as possible—traveling, bowling, and skating. However, sharing a bed with both of them makes it very difficult to get decent sleep."

For me, Habitat for Humanity is an opportunity to break the cycle of instability and achieve the dream of homeownership. For years, I have lived with my mother, daughter, and granddaughter desperately trying to find a safe, stable, and affordable place for us to call home. Living with this instability and uncertainty has been a great burden, especially for my mother and I. For nearly four decades she has worked two full-time jobs and I’ve worked full-time at an eyewear company for over 30 years. Even my daughter holds a job as a medical coder while studying full-time to earn her degree in Computer Programming.

 

We are excited that our hard work has finally paid off and we will be able to finally own our own home. The fact that we get to be actively involved in the construction process will make the home even more meaningful to us. It will create a sense of attachment and a deeper appreciation for the effort and dedication required to bring a project like this to life.

 

Words cannot fully express our gratitude for the incredible generosity and support you have shown. You are not just sponsors and volunteers; you are the embodiment of kindness, compassion, and community spirit. Your belief in our dreams and your selfless acts of giving are creating opportunities and transforming lives. We are deeply grateful for your partnership, and we want you to know that your efforts are not in vain. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for making our dreams a reality.

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HABITAT HOMEOWNERS

Eliana & Jose

"I first learned about Habitat for Humanity of Long Island while volunteering to build a house in my community. I believed that partnering with Habitat would be the perfect way to combine my love for helping others with the opportunity to provide a safe, affordable home for my family."

"I first learned about Habitat for Humanity of Long Island while volunteering to build a house in my community. I believed that partnering with Habitat would be the perfect way to combine my love for helping others with the opportunity to provide a safe, affordable home for my family. Currently, the six of us share two rooms graciously allowed by my mother in her house. My husband, José, and I share a room with our three-year-old daughter, while our other daughters occupy the second room. While I appreciate the convenience of living with my mother, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to accommodate our growing family, especially finding space for my special needs child’s care.

For the past eight years, I’ve worked as a patient navigator, and José is a box finisher at a warehouse. Despite our full-time jobs, we prioritize creating a loving and nurturing environment for our girls. Cooking together, riding bicycles, and watching movies are our cherished family activities. Both of us strive to set a great example for our family. Additionally, we plan to return to school this fall to further our careers and demonstrate the value of goal-setting to our daughters.

To the sponsors and volunteers contributing to our home, we express heartfelt gratitude. Thank you for adding a personal touch to our home, contributing to our dream, and dedicating invaluable time and energy to building a better community. Without you, this opportunity would not exist for us. Owning this home will be the greatest achievement of our lives."

-Eliana

 

-David

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Luz

"We are a tight-knit family who loves God and sports. 

Having lived in Southampton for decades, we feel deeply connected to our community. As a local teacher and hospital worker, we engage actively with our neighbors and could never imagine living anywhere else. However, when our landlord decided to sell the home we rented, we faced a desperate search for a new place that we could afford."

 

When I first found out that I had been selected to own a Habitat home, I was so grateful to God for blessing me with this wonderful opportunity. Fifteen years ago I moved to the United States from my home country of Columbia determined to work hard and help others in need. Since then I have been working as a quality inspector for medical supplies trying to create a beautiful life for my 7-year-old daughter, Kerlize.

 

We are currently living together in a small bedroom, having to rent a storage unit for our belongings because there is not enough space in our room. Though our living situation is challenging, I always make time to explore new places and attend church with Kerlize. My goal is for her to have good morals and value time spent together. Knowing that my daughter will be able to grow up in a safe, comfortable environment with plenty of space to play fills me with so much happiness. I can’t wait to watch movies in our living room, play together in our yard and have picnics in our new neighborhood.

 

This house is a blessing to us and every volunteer that comes to build should know that they are not just helping build a house, they are making our dreams come true. We will be grateful to all of you for the rest of our lives!

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Derek & Phyllis

"We are a tight-knit family who loves God and sports. 

Having lived in Southampton for decades, we feel deeply connected to our community. As a local teacher and hospital worker, we engage actively with our neighbors and could never imagine living anywhere else. However, when our landlord decided to sell the home we rented, we faced a desperate search for a new place that we could afford."

 

"We are a tight-knit family who loves God and sports. As parents of three children, finding a safe and affordable place to raise our family is of utmost importance.

Having lived in Southampton for decades, we feel deeply connected to our community. As a local teacher and hospital worker, we engage actively with our neighbors and could never imagine living anywhere else. However, when our landlord decided to sell the home we rented, we faced a desperate search for a new place that we could afford. Unfortunately, finding an affordable option proved elusive, and it seemed we’d have no choice but to leave the area.

Then, like a true blessing, we stumbled upon an ad for Habitat for Humanity. No longer will we need to rent or wonder if our kids will have a place to sleep. Even better, we’ll create a legacy of stability and comfort for them. Witnessing the impactful work that Habitat does has inspired us to give back. We eagerly anticipate learning construction skills and building alongside sponsors and volunteers. Thank you for helping us manifest our dream of owning a home."

-Derek & Phyllis

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Matt and Jackson

VETERAN BLITZ BUILD

"To actually help build our own house will be such a solid foundation for us and partnering with Habitat and being chosen for a house is a life changing event and a bit beyond comprehension at this moment. Partnering with Habitat Long Island will enable Jackson and I to stay in the same community and put down roots."

I grew up on Long Island’s East End, in East Hampton. After graduating from High School in East Hampton in 1987, I joined the Marine Corps and learned electronic maintenance. Returning to East Hampton, I started working for the East Hampton Star newspaper for the past 12 years. I currently live in a small basement apartment with my teenage son, Jackson and we are in dire need of more suitable living arrangements. When asked what the prospect of becoming a Habitat partner and owning a home meant to me I did not have the words to really express. Being a single parent, stability for my son has been my number one priority. I view owning a home as the ultimate milestone in reaching stability. The word family resonates with me. Family helps and supports each other. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Habitat family. Raising my son alone has been challenging in a small, crowded apartment. To actually help build our own house will be such a solid foundation for us and partnering with Habitat and being chosen for a house is a life changing event and a bit beyond comprehension at this moment.

Partnering with Habitat Long Island will enable Jackson and I to stay in the same community and put down roots. To decide as to where I am going to be living is so huge... now the universe may conspire to support that decision…. I look forward to getting the dog my son has been wanting for so long. Since he is the only child, a puppy will allow him to have someone to care for and keep him company.

Thank you to everyone for your service and efforts. I, like most, have such a hard time asking for help. This is BIG help!! I accept, with full gratitude!”

-Matt

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Khatina, Sean & Connor

Khatina

"My husband and I are eager and excited to be able to physically work for this wonderful organization. We are grateful, not only to be building a home for ourselves and our son Connor, but also for the ability to help other people build a home for their families."

When I found out that we would have to leave our rental property, I was both crushed and concerned. Long term rentals are few and far between where we live in Orient and I was beginning to worry that my family and I would have to leave the state to find an affordable place to call home.

I was extremely happy, grateful and excited to find out that our family had been blessed with the opportunity to own a home through Habitat for Humanity of Long Island. This home means my son can stay in Greenport schools with his friends, my husband can keep his job as a carpenter and I can enjoy entertaining family and friends in my very own living room.

My husband and I are eager and excited to be able to physically work for this wonderful organization. We are grateful, not only to be building a home for ourselves and our son Connor, but also for the ability to help other people build a home for their families.

Words cannot describe how our family feels about Habitat volunteers and sponsors, you're making our dreams come true. Without your support we would never have been able to afford this home. God bless you all.

-Khatina

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Christina

habitat2

"Building this house for my family will make it possible for my kids to grow up in a safe and relaxing environment. There are no words to describe the amount of peace I see in our future because of this opportunity."

Being forced to live in a situation that doesn't make you feel safe and secure is so difficult. For the past 15 years, my family and I have been renters and the places we have lived never truly felt like home. While we may not have the best living situation, I do what I can to make sure my children appreciate the things we do have. Any chance we get, my family and I go fishing, play tennis, swim or bike ride together. We love to be outdoors and we love being together.

Building this house for my family will make it possible for my kids to grow up in a safe and relaxing environment. There are no words to describe the amount of peace I see in our future because of this opportunity. The fact that I get to help others in the process makes this blessing even more exciting. I have worked as a Social Service Examiner for over 14 years, so helping others is an important part of my life. I look forward to learning new ways to give back to my community and meeting new people along the way. I'm super excited to be a part of building my own home and I can't wait to be out there swinging a hammer every week. Having a place to make memories and grow together is a dream come true for my family and I. To the kind-hearted sponsors and volunteers helping us build, you rock!

-Christina

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Helen & DeVon 

"My son DeVon and I were overwhelmed with shock and joy to find out that we had been selected to become homeowners. Though life at home and work can be a struggle sometimes, DeVon and I have always been there for each other. I couldn't have been prouder when he agreed to build this home with me and make our dreams a reality."

 

-My son DeVon and I were overwhelmed with shock and joy to find out that we had been selected to become homeowners. After many years in our apartment, our landlord passed away and the unit was immediately sold. We quickly moved in with my daughter and her family. The small 3-bedroom apartment is currently home to four adults and three children under the age of eight. While we try to make the best of our situation, it's been very difficult for DeVon and I to work demanding hours at our jobs in hospital without having our own space to wind down after a long day. For nearly a year, we have been searching for an affordable place to call our own, but have been unsuccessful until now.

Though life at home and work can be a struggle sometimes, DeVon and I have always been there for each other. I couldn't have been prouder when he agreed to build this home with me and make our dreams a reality. We are very close, sharing our religious beliefs and the same morals. Although we're in a difficult situation, we still try to spread love whenever we can. I'm very passionate about volunteering, so whenever I'm not passing out meals to my patients I spend time distributing food to people that may be less fortunate than myself.

I know it will be a challenge to build my dream home while working long hours in the hospital, but I am so excited for this opportunity to discover new ways to give back to my community. I can't thank the volunteers and donors enough. Your contributions to our future home will give our family the space, stability and comfort we've always dreamt of. Words can never express our sincere gratitude for this life changing experience.

-Helen

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Tiffany and Stefanie

"Owning a Habitat home will definitely change our lives for the better! We will have safe and affordable housing, a room/space to call our own and a brighter future."

I currently work in the Healthcare field caring for the geriatric population and those in need of rehabilitative services. For the past 5 years I have worked at a Nursing Home & Rehabilitation facility on the South Shore of Long Island. While I am not attending school at this time, I plan to further my education and advance in my current career path.

I currently live with my 9 year old daughter in a one bedroom apartment, which is not suitable to accommodate the needs of three people. We are grateful for this opportunity and are looking forward to the stability of homeownership and being together with my mother under one roof. We cannot wait to host family game nights, watch movies and sing& dance in our new Habitat home.

We found out about the Habitat's Homeownership Program from a friend who also owns a Habitat house. We ultimately decided to apply, feeling that we were good candidates for the program and needed a stable home. We were so excited when we found out we were accepted into the program and were on our way toward getting our forever home. We cannot wait to start the sweat equity portion of the Habitat partnership. Not only will we gain a house, but we will acquire new technical skills associated with building a house and learn how to better manage our finances to sustain ownership. We also think it's cool that we will be on site and part of the construction team, most people outside of the Habitat program probably do not get that opportunity.

Owning a Habitat home will definitely change our lives for the better! We will have safe and affordable housing, a room/space to call our own and a brighter future. Being a part of the Habitat family enriches our lives by providing the comradery that is the Habitat community.

-Tiffany

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Christopher & Amanda

"Owning our own home means we can start our family, finally have a sense of security and a place to call our own. More importantly, it is the foundation to build a home for the children we plan to have in the near future."

I moved around a lot before my parents decided to settle on Long Island. Even moving out here was a transition coming from an urban neighborhood to the suburbs. My parents' finances fluctuated, so having stability was hard. My wife, Amanda, was raised by divorced parents, her mother provided for two children to the best of her abilities.

Owning our own home means we can start our family, finally have a sense of security and a place to call our own. More importantly, it is the foundation to build a home for the children we plan to have in the near future. We are grateful to be a part of Habitat Suffolk's homeownership program and to work with an organization that supports the community. We are blessed to have people that genuinely care about helping others.

We learned about the homeownership program through a family member and we also know a couple that owns a house that Habitat for Humanity built. To be able to help build our home, to watch the process unfold and experience each moment together is a wonderful opportunity. It gives us a sense of appreciation and pride to know the effort it took to get us here. We look forward to the day we are able to proudly tell our children we built this home with help from the community and Habitat Long Island and hope this inspires them to work as hard as we did to give them a safe place to live.

We are eternally thankful for all the donors, sponsors and volunteers that will donate their time and support Habitat's mission - to make this dream a reality.

-Christopher

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Sahlise

"It will be a wonderful experience for me and my family to be a part of building our home. I am proud and have worked very hard to be able to do this for my family and to be part of helping other Habitat families build their homes too."

Owning my own home is a dream come true and partnering with Habitat will give me the opportunity to become a first-time homeowner. I learned about Habitat's homeownership program at a homeownership orientation webinar at work, East End Disability Associates.

I am a mother of three and live with my two daughters, my son and grandchild. We are all living in a small, overcrowded, basement apartment, where we had to convert the living room into a bedroom to accommodate all of us. My children and I are not able to sit at our own kitchen table to eat dinner because our apartment is too small. For any family gathering and special holiday celebrations we have to go to my parents or siblings' home because of space issues. I am blessed to be able to celebrate with them, but my children need their own place to sit for dinner.

It will be a wonderful experience for me and my family to be a part of building our home. I am proud and have worked very hard to be able to do this for my family and to be part of helping other Habitat families build their homes too.

I look forward to living in our new home with my two youngest children Jason,26 and Jamiya, 13. We will each have our own room with our own private space. Best of all we will be able to have dinners in our dining room and relax and enjoy time together in our living room. This will all be possible thanks to the generosity from supporters and volunteers. My family and I are forever grateful to Habitat Long Island.

-Sahlise

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Allyson 

"Owning a home as a single Mom of four would give me such a sense of accomplishment. Having the opportunity to provide a beautiful, healthy home for my children would be such a blessing."

I have four children and they are my world. We have been overcrowded in our rental apartment for many years and I am fearful of allowing the kids to play outside because our block has been plagued with drugs and criminal activity. Regardless, we always manage to focus on the positive and to enjoy our family time.

Owning a home as a single Mom of four would give me such a sense of accomplishment. Having the opportunity to provide a beautiful, healthy home for my children would be such a blessing. A sense of safety, peace of mind and confirmation in knowing that hard work and dedication pays off.

Our habitat home will provide my children with a chance to just be kids experiencing what it is like to live and feel safe. At the same time, I believe it will provide me with a stronger sense of responsibility and security. My children will get to see me helping to build the home and my oldest will be able to work on it with me. I want them to grow up feeling grateful, proud and humble. Being  part of the habitat family would mean I too am a part of the habitat mission and I firmly believe in paying it forward and working as a team. I hope to pass on to them a desire to give back and a deep appreciation for how  fortunate we are as a family to have this opportunity with Habitat.

I can't wait to see the smiles on my kid's faces when we move in and to make a huge breakfast we can all eat together on our first morning. My family and I truly thank everyone involved from the bottom of our hearts for all of your time, kindness and hard work. Without your support, this wouldn't be possible and for that my family and I are truly grateful. 

-Allison

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Zach & Jessica

"Owning our home would mean the world to us. A place my family can call their own means security and growth.  This home is where we will make many happy memories with our family and friends for years to come."

Growing up, Zach and I had very different upbringings. Zach lost his mom when he was 8 and his father when he was 15. I grew up with both of my parents as well as two younger siblings.

In 2015 my father was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells, which he is still battling today. In May of 2018, Zach had a hemorrhagic stroke which required emergency surgery. The stroke left him with deficits on his right side and expressive aphasia, which is when people find it very difficult to find and say the right words, although they probably know exactly whatthey want to say. The stroke unfortunately also left Zach unable to work or drive.

We currently live in a small 2-bedroom apartment with our one-year old twin girls, as well a sour two cats, Socks and Daisy. The apartment is small and Zach needs more walking space to make it easier for him to help care for the babies. Having twins means two of everything, cribs, high chairs, bouncers, etc. Their room is very small, two mini cribs and a changing table is all that can fit with very little floor space. Their clothes and toys are stored in the dining/living area, making it very difficult to walkaround.

Owning our home would mean the world to us. A place my family can call their own means security and growth. This house has been designed to meet Zach's needs so that he can safely move around. The twins will also have more room to grow, not only in the house but in the backyard as well. This home is where we will make many happy memories with our family and friends for years to come and thankfully Habitat worked with us to find a location that was close to them. Being able to help build our own home has been such a unique opportunity that most people don't get to do.

It will be a story that we will tell our girls for years to come. Teaching them to take pride in having and taking care of a home is invaluable. Having them learn from our story that no matter what adversities people face, there is always hope. My family will be forever grateful to Habitat Long Island and all the volunteers who took the time to help make our dream come true. I do not think we could ever have been able to afford to buy a house that would meet my family's specific needs without this opportunity.

-Jessica

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Flora

"It will be a wonderful experience for me and my family to be a part of building our home. I am proud and have worked very hard to be able to do this for my family and to be part of helping other Habitat families build their homes too."

Owning my own home is a dream come true and partnering with Habitat will give me the opportunity to become a first-time homeowner. I learned about Habitat's homeownership program at a homeownership orientation webinar at work, East End Disability Associates.

I am a mother of three and live with my two daughters, my son and grandchild. We are all living in a small, overcrowded, basement apartment, where we had to convert the living room into a bedroom to accommodate all of us. My children and I are not able to sit at our own kitchen table to eat dinner because our apartment is too small. For any family gathering and special holiday celebrations we have to go to my parents or siblings' home because of space issues. I am blessed to be able to celebrate with them, but my children need their own place to sit for dinner.

It will be a wonderful experience for me and my family to be a part of building our home. I am proud and have worked very hard to be able to do this for my family and to be part of helping other Habitat families build their homes too.

I look forward to living in our new home with my two youngest children Jason, 26 and Jamiya, 13. We will each have our own room with our own private space. Best of all we will be able to have dinners in our dining room and relax and enjoy time together in our living room. This will all be possible thanks to the generosity from supporters and volunteers. My family and I are forever grateful to Habitat Long Island.

-Flora

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Nikesha 

"Growing up my dad was my sole caretaker, I never had anything permanent like a bedroom or a home and I changed schools often. Partnering with Habitat Long Island and owning a home of my own will be my greatest accomplishment."

Growing up my dad was my sole caretaker, I never had anything permanent like a bedroom or a home and I changed schools often. I had heard such wonderful things about Habitat for Humanity and it's homeownership program and how it helps families acquire a mortgage for an affordable home. Partnering with HabitatSuffolk and owning a home of my own will be my greatest accomplishment. I am overwhelmed with joy since starting the program and I feel like Habitat Suffolk is part of my immediate family.

Through my partnership with Habitat Suffolk, I will be able to own a safe and affordable home to spend more time with my daughter. In our past living conditions, my daughter has not been able to play outside in the yard or have her friends over for a play date. I can see the sadness on her face and as a mother, I am doing everything I can to change that. I want her to see her excel in school and further her education and I am hoping to be able to do the same.

I am so thankful for this generosity and all of the time that is being put into building this home for me and my daughter. It has meant so much that I am able to be a part of building the walls that will shelter us and I am forever grateful to my new Habitat family and all of the volunteers and sponsors.
I hope my daughter feels the kindness, dedication and love shown to us through this partnership. It is a dream come true.
God bless you all.

-Nikesha

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Mariela

"Owning our own home is a dream come true for my daughters and I, but it will take a lot of hard work to do this."

Life was really hard being a single parent with four kids to raise alone, living in my parent’s home with other relatives. We had to share everything and my kids and I never had any privacy. My life was filled with many struggles and letdowns, but my biggest challenge was finding an affordable home on Long Island where I could continue to raise my children. It was very difficult to qualify for a mortgage, since I was the only source of income. Many years passed before this opportunity would occur. I currently live in a small, crowded place with my two daughters, Kayla and Judy. My living situation led me to apply to Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program, because I knew this program helped families looking to purchase an affordable house. Qualifying for a mortgage on my own was not easy, but with Habitat’s guidance and financial assistance, I was able to do it.

I always wanted to have a place to call home, where I could cook hot meals for my children and give them the security a safe home can provide. Being able to be part of the process of building my home and helping other Habitat families build their house has been a great and rewarding experience, knowing I
was part of making their dreams come true. At first, I thought this was going to be a very difficult process, but once I finished my first day of sweat equity, I felt great and ready to do this. That same day, I thought to myself “Oh my God, after this is all done, my children and I will finally have a place of our own.” I was filled with joy just thinking about the day we would move into our forever home.

Owning our own home is a dream come true for my daughters and I, but it will take a lot of hard work to do this. Partnering with Habitat Suffolk gave me the tools and support I needed to obtain a mortgage I can afford. I will forever be grateful to Habitat Suffolk, the sponsors that support this organization, the volunteers that generously donated their time to build my home and the great staff that helped and guided me through this journey. Habitat Suffolk definitely changed our lives for the better. Now we are going to have the chance to have our own space just for our little family.

-Mariela

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Anthony & Cheyenne

"It will be a wonderful experience for me and my family to be a part of building our home. I am proud and have worked very hard to be able to do this for my family and to be part of helping other Habitat families build their homes too."

I grew up in Springs, NY in a very loving environment with my mom, dad and 3 younger sisters. My mother was a stay-at-home mom and my dad owned his own carpentry business.

In 2018, my parents decided to get a divorce and as a result my mother moved upstate and my dad no longer wanted us to live at our house. It was very difficult to adjust to our mother living far away and left with nowhere to go, we were forced to get an apartment very quickly.

It is extremely hard for young couples to afford to live on Long Island with the constant rent increases. We first learned about Habitat’s homeownership program through the Springs fire department, where Cheyenne and I volunteer as EMTs. Many local fire departments are losing young volunteer members because we cannot afford the cost of living on the island.

Volunteering as EMTs and giving back to our community are very important to us. That’s why Cheyenne and I jumped at the idea of also volunteering to help build homes for others in need, regardless of whether or not we would be selected for one of the Habitat homes.

Being part of Habitat’s homeownership program gives us a sense of community and security. Owning our own home means we will no longer have to worry about unexpected rental increases or lease renewals. Cheyenne and I have a chance to be part of building our very own home and volunteering to build a home for another family, while continuing to work in our community. Once we move into our new home, we plan on building a vegetable garden and finally getting a dog of our
own. Also, we will now have our own garage and I will be able to work on my truck again.

We are forever grateful to Habitat and the kindness of all those who will help fund and build our new home, allowing us to live in our community, continue to volunteer in the fire department and start a family together.
-Anthony

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Daniel and Jennifer

"Our habitat home will mean we will be able to raise our children in our own controlled environment and watch them grow into amazing people. We can now continue to live here in Suffolk County close to family and friends."

Growing up, my parents worked hard for our family to make ends meet but that often meant they weren't around enough. Growing up for Jen involved some turbulent times and she spent some time in foster care so
giving our kids stability as well as having time to spend with them is very important to us.

Married with 3 young children (Daniel Jr., Gwendolyn, and Aurora), we are now living with extended family. While we are grateful to them, it's hard to give the kids the structure and stability we'd like to in someone else's space.

After searching for two years, we felt hopeless about finding a home of our own on Long Island that would be affordable for us. We had decided we'd have to leave the state when my Mom heard about Habitat and suggested that we apply. The idea of helping to build our own home and having the opportunity to take classes to get us ready for homeownership felt like a great opportunity.

When we found out we were approved, it was like winning the lottery. Our habitat home will mean we will be able to raise our children in our own controlled environment and watch them grow into amazing people. We can now continue to live here in Suffolk County close to family and friends and we can't wait to finally have them over to our house for dinner.

Thank you for giving us this once in a lifetime opportunity. We can't express enough how much this will mean.

Our family means everything to us and because of Habitat, we know our family's future is bright and that our lives will be forever changed.

-Jennifer

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Betty 

"I know what it is to grow up struggling, and I will be so thankful every morning I wake up in the house that Habitat built because I will know that my kids won't have to see that struggle anymore."

For the last 29 years, my family and I rented rooms in a small, dilapidated space in Copiague that was originally a storefront. Aside from rodent and mold problems, the biggest concern is that we share the space with other families who are renting rooms. I spent many days worrying about the safety and uncertainty of our living situation, waiting for us to be told to leave. That worry has now become a reality, and very quickly and without much warning, I was told that the space sold and we needed to leave.

Out of that place of urgency, I found Habitat, and what I have realized in this short time of searching for this saving grace is that more than just finding shelter for my husband Humberto and our two sons Fabian and Steven (and our dog, Toby!), I will also be providing safety, stability, and most importantly long-term security. I want my boys to feel the support that a stable home can give. Steven is 21 and attending college, and Fabian is 26 and struggles with a mental disability and needs full-time care. My husband works as a sign maker and I stay home and care for Fabian.

When I was young, my life changed in a big way when my father passed on. I had to work hard at a very early age to help provide for my 7 younger siblings. I know what it is to grow up struggling, and I will be so thankful every morning I wake up in the house that Habitat built because I will know that my kids won't have to see that struggle anymore. There aren't words to express our gratitude to all of the financial donors and supporters and hard-working volunteers who gave of themselves to help us recognize our dream. You will never know just how much you have impacted our lives. If you ever need to come over for a cup of sugar, just knock on the door!

-Betty

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HABITAT WALL RAISE AND HOME DEDICATION CEREMONIES