'Dreams come true': Habitat for Humanity gives new, fully-furnished home to Tallahassee native
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May 22, 2019
Jessica Williams thought she was helping Big Bend Habitat for Humanity with a commercial when she was taken to her new home for the first time.
She'd been told to stay away from her newly constructed 1,300 square-foot, three-bed, two-bath house on Connecticut Street for a week as the final touches were completed.
It wasn't until the single mother of two opened the front door Tuesday that she discovered she not only had a new house, but a fully furnished one with a stocked refrigerator.
Williams gasped and wept, shedding more tears as she walked from room to well-appointed room with her son and daughter.
“I am overwhelmed with joy and thankful that dreams come true,” said Williams, who grew up in public housing nearby. “Of course, it’s the American Dream to own a home.”
Warrick Dunn Charities and Aaron’s Furniture partnered with Habitat for Humanity to donate the home furnishings as part of their Homes for the Holidays program. Beyond the basics, the Williams family received TVs, a desktop computer, a washer and dryer, bedroom and living room furniture and linens to match. The organizations also stocked the pantry and put toothbrushes in the bathrooms.
Williams’ home was the 170th furnished by Warrick Dunn Charities, which assists single-parent families to buy their first homes.
“It speaks volumes when a community can come together in support and help, because it’s not just the families who are raising the kids — it’s the community,” Warrick Dunn said.
The executive director of Big Bend Habitat for Humanity, Antoine Wright, said the organization focuses on strong community building.
“We have a huge need for affordable housing in our community,” Wright said. “It’s always that expectation of someone else is going to do something about it. But the way we work is we get community folks who band together to make a difference. You can be the change you wish to see.”
An all-female volunteer team built Williams’ house, beginning in March. Financing for the home included a three-year mortgage at 0% interest, which make Williams’ monthly payments just under $400 a month. Financial support for the project came from Ryan Jumonville of United Networks of America, Inc., Tri-Eagle Sales and Hearth and Soul, which gave Williams $5,000 for her down payment.
Brittany Foster, marketing and communications manager at Tri-Eagle Sales, said Williams' home was the third that they've supported.
“Home ownership to a single parent and their family, it’s truly a humbling experience,” she said.
Williams has an undergraduate degree in health science from Florida A&M University and works at a local physical therapy center. In the last year, she’s been working to secure a home for her two kids. They plan to move into the home Friday, which is adjacent to another Habitat for Humanity house under construction.
Treniyah Cromartie, Williams’ 14-year-old daughter, took in the family's new space on Tuesday. She said her favorite room in the house is her own.
“(My mom) deserves it because she had us at such a young age and she’s still putting in the work to make our lives easier,” Treniyah said. “Even though it was hard, she made it.”