Homeowner Bio: The Morton Family

For Dana Morton, life has always been about pushing forward, chasing goals, and building a better future for her family. As a full-time Customer Service Professional at Answer First and a Health Information Management Specialist at Parallon, Dana juggles two jobs while also working toward an Associate’s degree in Health Information Technology from St. Petersburg College. But despite her relentless drive and dedication, homeownership always felt out of reach—until she found Habitat for Humanity. “I was so shocked and excited when I found out I was accepted into the program,” she recalled. “I just started crying.”

Dana is a loving mother to her 7-year-old daughter Izzy, her teenage nephew Kyle, and she’s also expecting a new baby. “Izzy is bright, imaginative, and loves playing with her friends, riding her scooter, and collecting surprise toys,” Dana shared proudly. “Kyle is super loving. He enjoys music and he absolutely loves dolphins.” But their current living situation has made everyday life difficult. “We live in a second-story condo with no working elevators. Kyle can’t come over because he can’t get up the stairs.

Through the Habitat for Humanity program, Dana has already experienced a shift—not just in her housing prospects, but in her outlook on life. “Knowledge is power,” Dana said. “I enjoy learning new things that will help me as a homeowner. And I’ve built great relationships with the site crew along the way.”

Dana is especially excited about the stability a Habitat home will offer her family. “I’m looking forward to a mortgage that never increases,” she said. “I can’t wait to have enough bedrooms and a backyard to play with the kids and our dog.” For Dana, this home is more than just a place—it’s a symbol of resilience, joy, and future possibilities. “Home is where I feel safe, accepted, and free to be myself.”