Good News - July 2019

OUT AND ABOUT 32 JULY 2019 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition The first seven families received the keys to their new homes at “A Rick Case Habi- tat Community” in Pompano on June 27 during a private dedication ceremony at- tended by Governor Ron De- Santis and other dignitaries. The homeowners in- cluded Cassandra Baker, Krystal Brown, Tiesha Dun- can, Deresha Ferguson, Victo- ria Griffin, Erneika Mejia and Edna and Tyrone Mckinney. “These are hardworking, de- serving families who earned their homeownerships” said, Nancy Robin, CEO/Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of Broward. The total project is esti- mated to cost over $18 million in funds that will be raised and leveraged through part- nerships with corporations, foundations, government agencies, the faith commu- nity and generous individuals. “We are honored to joing alongside Gov. Ron DeSantis to demonstrate what’s possi- ble when churches connect and collaborate to solve our community’s problems like affordable housing,” said Eddie Copeland, Church United Director. Welcoming the first seven families into their new homes, Rita Case said, “Its heartwarming to know we were a part of this life-long achievement.” Rita and Rick Case have been connected with Habitat for over 18 years, and Raquel Case co- chairs Habitat Broward Women Build and serves on the board. “A Rick Case Habitat Community” will feature 77 af- fordable homes consisting of 42 one story and 35 two story units with sizes ranging from 1,200 to 1,300 sq. ft. homes. All homes feature sustain- able, energy-efficient materi- als, including impact windows, to minimize envi- ronmental impact, improve in- door air quality, and reduce utility and maintenance costs. Additional features include a park and children’s play- ground that will be accessible to residents of the community and the surrounding area. New homeowner Cas- sandra Baker, a single mother of four with two jobs as a Campus Safety Officer for Broward College and an Aviation Escort Officer for Akina Security Inc., gained custody of her nephew after the passing of her sister. Cur- rently, the family of four is temporarily living with Brown’s mother. Brown said, “Homeownership means not having to move every time the lease is up, forcing my kids to switch schools.” A mother of two, Duncan has been an OBGYN Med- ical Assistant at Holy Cross Medical Group for 10 years. After being forced to move out by the father of her chil- dren, she had to move in with her mother where space is extremely limited. Ferguson, a mother of two, works as a Service Co- ordinator for JM Lexus. Griffin is a single mother of two who has been a Pa- tient Access Representative at Boca Regional for 15 years. “This home means everything to me,” said Grif- fin. “Being the youngest out of five and the first home- owner, I feel accomplished and proud of myself. Our cur- rent situation is overcrowded and there is structural dam- age. I can't wait for Xavion and Javares to sleep com- fortably in their own rooms with no worries.” A single mother of four, Meija has been a Financial Crime Specialist for Wells Fargo Bank for nine years. The family currently resides in a small apartment in an un- safe neighborhood. In fact, Mejia was the victim of a shooting a few years ago. It was then she decided that she had to find a safe, stable place for her children. The Mckinney’s are the proud parents of two. Tyrone Mckinney works as a delivery driver for Kennesaw and Edna Mckinney has dedi- cated over 18 years as the registrar at William Dandy Middle School. Currently, they are renting a two-bed- room house in an unsafe neighborhood. Robert Tayler Jr., Board Chair, Habitat for Humanity of Broward, said, “In a county where so many fam- ilies cannot afford decent housing, we are grateful to be able help these seven families achieve their dream of owning a home.” Visit habitatbroward.org for information. First Families Move Into ‘A Rick Case Habitat Community’ in Pompano Beach Shelly Pond Editor Good News Edwin Copeland, Cassandra Baker, Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Robert Taylor