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Habitat For Humanity is still, despite Hurricane Ian, helping families find homes through its affordable homeownership program. Volunteers with Pelican Landing and The Colony in Bonita Springs came out and helped future homeowners Itzel Garcia and Jorge Mong as they raised the walls to see their future home. “I’m very grateful, I mean, it’s a blessing, honestly,” Itzel said. This was Habitat For Humanity’s first wall-raising since Hurricane Ian hit Southwest Florida. Habitat For Humanity construction site. CREDIT: WINK News The couple will own a single-family house in Habitat For Humanity’s partnership place neighborhood in Bonita. Becky Lucas, CEO of Habitat For Humanity of Lee & Hendry Counties, shared some thoughts about what it means to do this after Hurricane Ian. “This means a lot to us, that we’re going to continue our commitments with the families who are partnering with us for affordable homeownership,” Lucas said. Itzel has a 2-year-old daughter and explained she’s currently staying at her mom’s house nearby, which is also a habitat home. “My parents have had a Habitat house for about 10 years now, so I’ve been pretty familiar with the process of it,” Itzel said. “Patience is key because it’s a very long process, but it’s very possible,” Mong said. John Hill is a resident at The Colony and loves giving his time to Habitat For Humanity. “I love it; believe in it. My wife and I are involved in a lot of different charities we support financially and personally through effort, and this is the best,” Hill said. “This is our number one. We believe in the mission, we believe in the need and we believe in people participating in what they get.” WINK News asked Garcia and Mong what they’re most excited about when it comes to being new homeowners, and they answered from the heart. “Everything. I mean, the space and…” Garcia said. “Privacy. And, starting our family alone in our own home,” Mong said. Habitat said it’s working to provide long-term recovery support to homeowners in our community while they recover from the storm. How it looked when Habitat For Humanity raised the wall. CREDIT: WINK News Habitat For Humanity released the following statement to WINK News. Residents of Pelican Landing and The Colony were one of three gated communities that were instrumental in making Partnership Place a reality. Over the past 20 years, through its partnership with Habitat, Pelican Landing and The Colony have funded and built 25 homes through the generosity of the residents. Click here for more information about Habitat For Humanity