“My house will be a place of safety, love, and stability for my daughter and me.”
Jessica Zemchak is a devoted mother and Office Coordinator at Behler Eye and Laser Center, where she has worked for nine years. Her greatest motivation is her daughter, Mya, and her dream is to create a home where Mya can feel safe, supported, and inspired.
Jessica’s family is small but deeply connected. She shares a close bond with her mother and daughter, describing them as “three best friends who lean on each other through everything.” Mya, 16, is full of energy and ambition. She loves volleyball and plays for both her school team and a competitive club team, South St. Pete Storm. When she’s not on the court, Mya enjoys painting, listening to music, shopping, and experimenting with makeup and nail designs. Jessica beams with pride when she talks about her daughter’s creativity and determination, saying, “She’s my world.”
Life at home has been challenging. Jessica and Mya currently live with Jessica’s parents, sharing space and routines in a way that often feels cramped and stressful. While she is grateful for the support, Jessica dreams of independence and a home where she and Mya can breathe, build routines, and create happy memories without the limitations of shared living.
When Jessica learned she was accepted into the Habitat program, she felt an overwhelming mix of relief, hope, and gratitude. “It was like a door I’d been trying to open for so long had finally unlocked,” she recalls. For Jessica, a Habitat home means stability, peace, and pride. “My house will be a place of safety, love, and stability for my daughter and me,” she says. She looks forward to the day they can walk through their own front door, knowing they’ve built a future that truly belongs to them.
