The McNeal family, James and Brenda in the middle.
Photos by Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County.
Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County held groundbreaking ceremonies for three families in Pahokee and one in Belle Glade on Oct. 12. These Habitat homes are being built in partnership with Pahokee, Belle Glade, The Batchelor Foundation, Palm Beach County and Habitat Housing Solutions.
From left to right, Belle Glade Vice Mayor Joaquin Almazan, Holton Family, Habitat for Humanity PBC Board Member Brion Lawler.
Friends, relatives, supporters and community partners gather to celebrate the McNeal, Warren, Collins and Holton families moving closer to realizing their dream of homeownership. The occasion began with a short ceremony at the site of the Warren family’s new home, followed by a car parade to break ground at the other two locations in Pahokee and the one in Belle Glade.
James and Brenda McNeal are enthusiastic about becoming homeowners and said they learned so much about the process through the Habitat classes families are required to take. They will share their home with their 3-year-old granddaughter.
Janet Warren was born and raised in Pahokee, and leaving a legacy for her three children, Eulicia, 14, Janiya, 12, and Tyson, 5 weeks, is important. She works as a nurse for Dignity Healing in Pahokee. She is excited to become a homeowner and provide a safe place for her family.
Warren Family, Janet and Janiya.
Family is of great importance for Meredith Collins, who also was born and raised in Pahokee. She puts her faith in God and in her children, Gary, 21, Tavarious, 20, and Precious, 18, who will share the home with her.
The Collins Family, Tavarious, Meredith, Precious and Gary.
Leonard Holton was born and raised in Belle Glade and is excited to become a homeowner. He is a truck driver and will move into the home with one of his sons, a student at St. Thomas University.
“It’s a lifetime dream to own my own property,” Holton said.
“Affordable homeownership opportunities are needed in Palm Beach County’s western communities,” said Peter Gates, the CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County. “Owning a home has repeatedly been shown to be transformational for individuals, families and the communities where they live. Extensive evidence supports homeownership as a driver of social change. From financial stability to physical health, homeowners tend to fare better than renters in every analysis. We are thrilled to help these three families achieve the dream of homeownership.”
