Grateful Mom And Dad Receive Keys To New Habitat For Humanity Home In Shirley

SHIRLEY, NY — A grateful mom and dad with twin daughters were handed the keys to a new home in Shirley on Wednesday morning, about a year after its first wall was raised by volunteers from Habitat for Humanity.

The home was constructed to meet the needs of Zach, who suffered a debilitating stroke in May 2018 and it left him unable to work and drive, Habitat for Humanity officials said. Zach and his wife, Jessica, who do not want to be identified, had been living in a small two-bedroom apartment with the twins and their two cats but it was inadequate for their needs, according to Habitat For Humanity.

The new home was customized to meet their needs.

Jessica said owning their home would mean "the world" to her family.

“A place my family can call their own means security and growth," she said. "This house has been designed to meet Zach’s needs so that he can safely move around. The twins will also have more room to grow, not only in the house but in the backyard, as well."

"This home is where we will make many happy memories with our family and friends for years to come, and thankfully Habitat worked with us to find a location that was close to them," she said. "Being able to help build our own home has been such a unique opportunity that most people don’t get to do.”

The home was funded by local businesses through Habitat Long Islandʻs Chief Executive Officer/Blitz program.

The organization's CEO and Executive Director Lee Silberman credited the house sponsor, Bank of America, as well as other partners that made it possible, including Brookhaven National Lab, Dime Community Bank, Eagle Business Solutions, Fairfield Properties, H2M architects + Engineers, HealthCare Partners, JP Morgan Chase, PSEG Long Island, Riverhead Building Supply, Roanoke Sand and Gravel, the Teachers Federal Credit Union, and Zebra Technologies.

"Many wonderful organizations – both private and public – partnered with Habitat to make this new home a reality for Jessica, Zach, and their twin girls," he said.

Silberman also credited local officials, including Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine and Sarah Lansdale, the Suffolk County Land Bank's president and executive director, for working together to make the land available for construction.

"Without their support, this successful project would not have been possible,” he said.

Marc Perez, president of Bank of America Long Island, said that stable housing strengthens communities "and is critical for financial stability and economic opportunity.”

“Bank of America’s support for Habitat for Humanity has long been core to our mission to drive social and economic mobility on Long Island,” he said.

Josephine Cuggino, of H2M architects + engineers, described the firm as a proud, longtime supporter of Habitat for Humanity.

“With about 20 build days under our tool belt and counting, Habitat’s mission to build roots and a strong foundation for families directly aligns with H2M’s mission to create thriving and healthy communities by giving of ourselves and developing sustainable solutions that benefit everyone,” she said.