“Habitat for Humanity is a blessing and has given us the opportunity to give our family a home.”
Melissa and Carlos Correia, a devoted couple who have been high school sweethearts since 1997, are on their journey towards homeownership with Habitat. Together, they have three children: Jordan, Alivia, and Amayah. Jordan, their eldest, is 25 and engaged; Alivia, 19, is pursuing a degree in psychology and criminology at SPC, while Amayah, 14, is in 9th grade at Clearwater Innovative High. Their journey has been marked by resilience and a deep faith in God. “Our first thoughts when we found out we were accepted into the Habitat program were, ‘Thank you, Jesus.’ We have been praying a lot for this possible opportunity,” Melissa shared. The Correia family has been living in a high-cost rental apartment, dealing with the discomfort of second-hand smoke and safety concerns due to non-functioning gates and homeless individuals in the area. The situation has been particularly hard on their daughters, and the couple has struggled to save money while living paycheck to paycheck.
Carlos works as a Cabinet Maker at Jacobsen Homes in Safety Harbor, while Melissa runs her own small residential and commercial cleaning business. Their work is fulfilling but demanding, making it difficult to address the issues in their current living situation. The opportunity to own a Habitat home means a lot to them. “We are so excited to start this journey and be able to have our forever home, where we can live comfortably, smoke-free, and without fear,” Melissa expressed. For the Correia family, the new Habitat home represents more than just a physical space; it symbolizes hope, stability, and a brighter future. “I can’t wait to be in our home, where our girls can have a place to call their own, and someday our grandchildren will be running around,” Melissa shared. “We can finally start saving money, be more financially stable, and better prepare for the future.” The sense of safety, security, and privacy that their new home will provide is something they have longed for.
