SUCCESS STORIES

Since 1983, Habitat for Humanity of Broward has been building safe, decent and a?ordable homes in communities throughout Broward County. To date, we’ve built 514 homes in Broward and sponsored 98 internationally, a total of 612 homes.

Homeowner Tashaundra Helps Children

Tashaundra and her son moved into their Habitat home this past June. A Broward County teacher, she also worked at the Boys and Girls Club to supplement her income and help local children. When COVID closed the club, she began tutoring and counseling. “My heart truly ached for my second-graders. Tutoring them individually gave me a new perspective on learning. I was able to see what my students have to overcome in their home environments. It made me even more thankful for the home I have today,” she said.” Tashaundra also began counseling children through crisis. “Kids need someone to talk to in this difficult time. We started with virtual sessions, then began counseling in small groups with safety precautions.” Tashaundra shares that her son had a hard time accepting the new “COVID world,” but says he is adjusting and understands that safety comes first. “As humans, we cannot survive without touch. For now, God is making a way. I see his hand in my daily travels along this journey called life. I am blessed, and hope to be a blessing to others in this time of trial.”

Habitat for Humanity of Broward welcomed home five hard working families on Saturday, February 5th at “A Rick Case Habitat Community” in Pompano Beach.

Representative Chip LaMarca, Broward County Commissioner Lamar Fisher, Pompano Beach Mayor Rex Hardin, and Vice Mayor Beverly Perkins joined the new homeowners to celebrate along with Habitat home sponsors, board members, family, and friends.

“We are now more than halfway through folks, with only 33 of our 76 homes to go at A Rick Case Habitat Community – our current class of future homeowners is our largest ever and we are currently accepting applications for our next class so please share the word,” said Kelly Kolb, Chair of Habitat Broward. “In other words, we are very busy. Why? Well because Broward is one of the most cost-burdened housing markets in the country, but for these five families that is no longer the case. This year, their hard work has earned them their part of the American Dream.”

The proud first-time homeowners include couples Susan Black and Dammaine Medley; Kelsey and Antonio McNeal; Osseline and Claude Moreau; Erik Boyd and Belinda Sterile-Boyd; along with Lydia and Hank Williams.

“Before we joined the Habitat program, every month Dammaine and I would ask ourselves why we were spending all this money to pay off someone else’s mortgage?” said Black. That’s when the family decided to apply for Habitat Broward’s program. Now, when the family makes that first mortgage payment every cent is an investment in the family’s future. 

“Now we are building a future,” Black added. As a Hospital Coordinator at Conviva Medical Center, Black works alongside partner Medley, a Patient Transportation Associate for the same location. The Jamaican American parents are raising four children ranging from age three to 21. 

 

 

Shundria and Keith McCoy were born to help others. Both work at Memorial Regional Hospital, where Shundria is a teacher at the childcare center and Keith is a paramedic in the ER. Keith loves the medical field and wants to further his career. He is applying to become a firefighter and also plans to go back to school to become a nurse.

This family is the “real McCoy.” They actively give back to their community and inspire others to be the best versions of themselves. Shundria plays a big role in Church by the Glades’ Women’s Bible Study, while Keith mentors young men to become leaders.

They are proud of the hard work they put into paying off their debts. Their children Keith, 18, Keron, 15, and Kylie, 12 are grateful for their parents’ love and dedication to their family. Keith Jr. followed in his parents’ footsteps of giving back and enlisted in the U,S. Army. He was just deployed following “boot camp” in January 2020. Keron is a mentee in the Kappa League and Kylie is a cadet in Girl Scouts USA…all born leaders!

Family time is important to both Keith and Shundria and they like to relax by fishing, playing sports and going to the beach. Just being together is what makes them happy.

Keith and Shundria say being involved in Habitat Broward makes them feel proud and accomplished. Owning a home is important to them because it is an investment and gives them a place to call their own.