“Habitat for Humanity is helping make my dreams a reality.”
Mindie Maddox has worked as a Direct Support Professional at Arc Tampa Bay for the past 2 years. She previously worked at a preschool for 9 years due to her love of children. Mindie cares for 2 children: her 15- year- old daughter, Aeriana, and her 3-year-old godson, Rashad. Mindie is also caring for her mother, Sheila. Aeriana enjoys listening to music and being active in sports including basketball and flag football. Rashad is interested in dinosaurs and ocean animals. He enjoys going to the park, pool, or playing at the splash pad! Mindie is a single mother who enjoys cooking and spending time with her family. Sheila is disabled and hearing impaired, but enjoys spending time at the pool, playing bingo, and spoiling her grandchildren.
The family currently resides in a 3 bed/ 2 bath apartment, but increasing rent is making it hard to afford. On top of rising rent, the area is unsafe for the family. The neighbors make it unsafe to go outside, preventing the kids from playing and enjoying the space they have. Sheila’s disabilities prevent her from being able to walk up the stairs, so she can no longer use her bedroom. The increasing rent creates a feeling of instability within the family, never allowing them to feel truly at home within their space.
When Mindie was told she was accepted into the Habitat program, she was finally able to envision a life of safety and stability she never felt. “It will give me and my family the stability that we need. I never had that growing up. I always moved around; I never had a forever home” expressed Mindie. Through Habitat, Mindie can have peace of mind knowing that she is now a homeowner, capable of building her forever home.
Our Habitat for Humanity affiliate is making a further commitment and investment advocating for the advancement of affordable homeownership. If you are interested in learning more about our advocacy efforts, including our new Advocacy Ambassador Program, you can visit our Advocacy Page on our website for more information.
“My house will be our safe place where we can start building new memories.”
