Locals awarded new homes thanks to Habitat for Humanity

SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- It's home sweet home for a few South Florida families who now have the key to the American dream.

Habitat for Humanity once again made dreams come true. "After years and months of hard labor and working very hard," said Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami CEO Mario Artecona, "today they finally reached their goals, and these will be their homes."

"If it wasn't for them," said Anjolee Vargas, "I wouldn't be able to have a house."

Ten new homeowners and their families got the keys to their new digs at the annual Blitz Build in Southwest Miami-Dade.

Fifteen-hundred volunteers spent the last two weeks building the houses. "The most rewarding thing about Habitat is that you get to see the fruits of your labor," said a volunteer. "You get to work alongside the family whose life you're helping change, and that's extremely rewarding."

Anjolee Vargas, a mother of two, waited years to finally own a house.

Now her kids will have a place to call home. "Right now I live in my mother's living room with my two daughters," said Vargas, "and this is where I'm gonna live now!"

Publix supermarkets and Baptist Hospital are among several sponsors this year. All together, they raised enough funds to build all ten houses. "This is absolutely the best part of my job," said Marsha Tejeda, "watching people when they have the joy and the pride and the key to their homes, knowing that their lives are going to be safer, more productive. They're going to be able to educate their children and do homework in the kitchen table so their children can succeed."

"It's important to own your own home," said Roger Paz, "and have that ownership. It gives you a sense of pride, it builds self-esteem in the homeowners."

WSVN is a proud sponsor of Habitat for Humanity.

Habitat for Humanity of Broward County

www.habitatbroward.org/

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami

www.miamihabitat.org/

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