Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream Home

His name is not Blandings or Cary Grant, but he is a single man with a single dream. A home of his own. Born and raised in New York City, Carlos came to Citrus County about five years ago and lived with his sister and helped work in the Spot Family Center. Wanting some independence, Carlos moved into a travel trailer and began to work for the Calvary Christian Center Church. It was there he met Diane who suggested he look into the program offered by Habitat for Humanity. Carlos knew he eventually would like to have a family so he attended an orientation and completed an application. Luckily enough, he qualified and was approved. That is why and how he started his journey with the Habitat program.

Although he had an idea as to what a budget was, he had no experience with doing repairs, much less construction of a dwelling he hoped to live in. By attending the mandatory classes that are part of the program, he learned not only what a budget was, but why it was necessary and how to set one up and how to follow it. Soon his 250 sweat equity hours were complete and his turn to start work on his own house arrived. Helping build the homes of the others who qualified before him, Carlos began to implement what he had learned, but next time it would be on the walls of his very own place. While working under the construction manager, he learned how to do common repairs other homeowners would have to hire someone to do. It all fit into the budget.

A very important part of the course is being a good neighbor. This is a forever home and relationships made are very important. How you keep your home effects not only you, but those on the same street. Carlos lived all his life in apartments before coming to Florida.

Owning a home meant he would be free to garden, a past time he enjoys and maybe one day having a pet. He also is looking forward to mowing his lawn and making his home pretty, one he will be proud of. Well actually, the thought of having his own home really started him thinking seriously about his future. Part of that future was having a wife and children and of course, this is where the pet came in. Carlos considers himself a good catch. He already knows how to wash dishes and do laundry.

There are two more wall raisings before it is Carlos' turn. The excitement is almost unbearable. He looks forward to the many hours of hard work ahead and watching it grow from the ground up. He thinks this house will feel more like his own. He will experience every phase of it.

Carlos is at the stage now where his Wall raising has been scheduled for August the 7th. After devoting so much time to helping his fellow partners build their homes, volunteers will now be working on the home he has dreamed of for almost a year. It is hard for him to contain his excitement and the happiness he feels can be seen in his face and heard in his voice.

Soon, Carlos will join the page with pictures of our other new homeowners and their new houses and we will all join in the celebration.