The location of the homes will be scattered throughout Lake and Sumter, including the cities of Tavares, Coleman, Bushnell, and Oxford. To learn more about Habitat’s Home Ownership program and how to apply, visit HabitatLS.org and select the ‘apply’ button. Applications will close on Friday, May 24^th.

Deadline to submit Home Ownership application is Friday, May 24^th by 3:00pm.

In partnership with donors and volunteers, Habitat Lake-Sumter’s Home Ownership program provides families access, opportunity, and guidance on attaining an affordable home.

Families partner with Habitat to pay an affordable mortgage and through “sweat equity,” which shows they are invested in the outcome of their new home. Sweat Equity is earned through several different activities such as volunteering on a Habitat worksite, in the ReStores, and through educational courses such as a First Time Homebuyer, Financial Literacy, and Credit Counseling classes.

For Home Ownership Application Questions, please call Program Coordinator, Dave at 352-483-0434 x 117

 About Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, Florida

Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, Florida has been your local Hometown Habitat serving individuals in Lake and Sumter Counties with access and opportunity to affordable housing solutions since 1989.   As an affiliate of Habitat International, we empower local families to achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter and are united by a shared vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. 

The post Habitat For Humanity of Lake-Sumter Is Now Accepting Applications For 11 New Homes appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

The students and faculty of South Lake High School’s construction academy recently turned over the keys to a new home in Mascotte.  The build was sponsored by Habitat For Humanity Lake-Sumter, FL and many local community support partners.  New homeowner, Latoya Sankey, simply shouted, “I’m excited!”  When asked about the process she added, “Has this been a long road?  In general yes but with Habitat it doesn’t seem like it’s been that long.  It’s been over a year but I also can’t believe that a year ago, I was sticking a shovel in the dirt.”  She is anticipating moving in with her son Mason and daughter Skyla. 

Danielle Stroud, Habitat For Humanity Lake-Sumter CEO shares, “This day is the most exciting day of the year.  The day we get to celebrate the students.  For all of their hard work and everything they’ve learned over the course of the year.”  Looking over at Ms. Sankey she continued, “We also get to bless the family as they move on to this next phase which will be moving into the house.” 

Jared Fullerton, construction teacher at South Lake High School shared his perspective.  “We’re here at the third dedication ceremony we’ve had.  This is a great program working with Habitat For Humanity.  I’m super proud of the students and all the community support we’ve gotten.”  He shifted to thoughts of the Construction Academy program at South Lake High School.  “This is one of the best learning environments for students that want to be in construction.  Without our partners and the students’ dedication, this doesn’t happen.  We are excited to start our fourth house next year.  The program has just gotten more and more popular at school.  This year I had the greatest application numbers for students that want to be in this program.  It’s nice to see the excitement taking place at school.” 

Steven Benson, SLHS principal shared his feelings.  “We’re here to celebrate the third house, today we will be turning over the keys from our students who worked incredibly hard to build this home.”  Lake County School Superintendent Diane Kornegay added “Today we get to turn over the keys to the family.  Who gets to call this place home.”  School Board member Tyler Brandeburg chimed in, “A great day for Lake County schools.  These are really, really special days.  The opportunity for these students to change the lives of a family is really special.”

Kevin Thompson, Assistant Principal at LSHS who is over the Construction Technology program then shared, “We’re just really proud of these students and the program being our third habitat house that we built.  We’re really excited about the progress they’ve made.  For some of these students, this is the second house they have participated in building.  So all the skills they have learned are going to be readily transferable to life after high school.  Whether it is a personal skill or a profession, either way, it’s going to be things they will be able to take with them going forward.”

The event was very well attended including the SLHS cheerleaders, city manager Annamarie Reno, congressman Daniel Webster, and many staff members from Habitat For Humanity. 

The post New Home Key Presentation For Habitat For Humanity In Mascotte appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter in partnership with Leesburg High School, South Lake High School, Eustis High School, and the Villages Charter High School have built four new homes as part of a vocational education program, the Youth Construction Academy.

• Leesburg High School Student Ceremony & Holiday Family Dedication in Leesburg, Florida on Wednesday, April 27^th
• The Villages Charter School Student Ceremony & Thomas Family Dedication in Wildwood, Florida on Friday, April 29^th 
• Eustis High School Student Ceremony & Cepero Family Celebration in Eustis, Florida on Friday, May 6^th
• South Lake High School Student Ceremony & Hernandez Family Celebration in Mascotte, Florida on Friday, May 13^th

Habitat’s Youth Construction Academy, through the partnership of select High Schools, is a vocational program designed to provide experiential learning and introduce students to the field of construction. Students graduate the program with access and opportunity for internships and employment.

Construction of each home began at the start of the Fall semester last year and continued through April 2022. The students and teachers will be included in the ceremony as we welcome home the families selected through Habitat’s Home Ownership program.

The dedication ceremonies are open to the public.  For location details and to RSVP, please contact Shari at Shari@HabitatLS.org.

 ********** 

About Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, Florida

Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, Florida has been your local Hometown Habitat serving individuals in Lake and Sumter Counties with access and opportunity to affordable housing solutions since 1989.   As an affiliate of Habitat International we empower local families to achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter and are united by a shared vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. 

The post Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter Honors Youth Construction Academy Students appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

AgeWave Solutions, Inc was the presenting sponsor for the Women Build project in May 2021, which aims to build and repair homes, while raising awareness of housing issues facing women, their families, and the community.

Not only does AgeWave’s support make it possible to build the new home, but they are also responsible for the engineering and design of the house. “We work closely with AgeWave Solutions, Inc for the architectural design, drafting and engineering of our house plans,” says Danielle Stroud, CEO of Habitat Lake-Sumter. “This home went from drawing to reality, all while working alongside AgeWave.”

AgeWave Solutions, Inc will be included in the dedication ceremony as we hand over the keys to a Family who were selected through Habitat’s Home Ownership program.

The dedication opened with a prayer from Habitat Lake-Sumter board member Lee Owen.

Danielle Stroud, Habitat CEO introduced Sandra and Walter. The couple expressed their gratitude to everyone who helped make their dream come true.

Laurie Bryant, a Women Build participant and last year’s winner of the Most Excellent Fundraiser, presented the family with a tool kit (given to every new Habitat Lake-Sumter homeowner). Tracy Waterman from AgeWave gave them a signed bible (signatures from Habitat board members, Habitat staff, and volunteers).

Randy from AgeWave (Women Build presenting sponsor) handed off the ceremonial keys to the Young Family.

Congratulations and Best Wishes.

The post Habitat For Humanity Of Lake-Sumter and AgeWave Solutions, Inc. Join Together To Hand Over Keys To New Homeowner! appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Students from Eustis High School answered the call to action from Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter to volunteer on a construction project that benefits a local family.

Youth Impact Days will offer high school students throughout Lake and Sumter Counties an opportunity to gain volunteer experience and become engaged in their local community, while learning what it means to be a good citizen.

Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter developed the Youth Impact Day initiative after successfully hosting groups of high school students from across the country for a summer-long volunteer experience. Now, they want to give students in Lake and Sumter Counties the same opportunity.

“Our goal with the Youth Impact Day is to encourage students to use their time and talent to develop new skills while making a difference for their neighbors. It takes collective effort to create a community and we want to give students the tools to make an impact and become community ambassadors,” says Lacie Himes, Development Director of Habitat Lake-Sumter.

The scope of work will change with each project and may include working on a new construction site or a Preservation & Repair project; tasks include painting, exterior clean up, landscaping, and minor repairs under the guidance of experienced Habitat Lake-Sumter leaders.

Youth Impact Days will be held the second Saturday on a bi-monthly basis. For questions on how to participate, contact Carlos at Carlos@HabitatLS.org or (352) 483-0434 x 119

For more information on Habitat Lake-Sumter and the Youth Impact Day initiative, please contact Lacie at Lacie@HabitatLS.org or (352) 483-0434 x 146

The post Habitat For Humanity Of Lake-Sumter Hosts First Youth Impact Day With Local High School Students appeared first on South Lake Tablet.