Habitat For Humanity Build Day

PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICK COOPER

Throughout the past months, Gulf Coast State College, FSU Panama City, and Haney Technical Center have been working with the Habitat for Humanity project “The House that Postsecondary Education Built.” The project is aimed at building a home for a deserving family within our community.

Jasmine Martin and her four children, Adrian Culver 11, Jozlynn Culver 9, Alissa Culver 8, and Malik Mack 2, are the recipients of the new home. Martin is a graduate of Gulf Coast’s Licensed Practical Nursing program and is employed at Emerald Coast Hospice. She is an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and assisted in building three other homes in the past. “Gulf Coast supported me while I was a student and now, five years later, they still have my back,” said Martin. “It is phenomenal to have them supporting me and the kids.” The children are also excited to soon have their own house. “I am happy and grateful that we will have our own rooms, a big yard, and a big new house,” Alissa says.

The first phase of construction began February 5 when faculty, staff, and students met at the site where there was only a concrete slab and pile of wood. With hammers in hand and a brief safety speech, construction began. The first four walls went up within four and a half hours of hard work.

The home is expected to be completed in May.