Bradenton, Fla: Hancock Whitney Bank’s generous donation will help Manatee Habitat build a home for Ketty, a local bank teller and single mother, who is in need of a safe affordable home for her family.
As a part of their Women Build campaign, the organization brings women in the community together each year to fundraise and build a home for a matriarch-led family. Since embarking on an unexpected journey of raising her son, Diego, on her own, Ketty has worked diligently to maintain a roof over his head.
She has spent the past few years struggling to keep up with the rising rental market. Therefore, finally owning a Habitat home will mean having security and stability. “I thank God every day that I never lost hope because that’s what led me to Habitat,” said Ketty.
Hancock Whitney is a sponsor for the 2023 Women Build signature event, Hard Hats and High Heels, that will take place on March 8th, International Women’s Day. At this luncheon, over 100 committee members and local women will bring their influence together to fundraise and demonstrate their support for Ketty’s new home.
The committee aims to raise $150,000 for the home and thanks, in part, to Hancock Whitney, they are already halfway to reaching their goal. The bank awarded Manatee Habitat a 2022 Opportunity Grant for their focus on affordable housing. This is the first year they have given to the non-profit organization.
“In an effort to expand access to affordable housing, Hancock Whitney commits to supporting organizations doing the most good,” said Hancock Whitney Market President Mike Moschella.
“We are honored to award Manatee Habitat the top grant award for our 2022 Opportunity Grant cycle for the work they are doing to help Manatee County residents achieve the dream of homeownership.”
In response to the local housing crisis, Manatee County Habitat for Humanity is scaling up to building 10 homes a year. Ketty’s home will be the first in Poling Gardens, the organization’s 16- home community in West Samoset.
The Women Build committee will host a groundbreaking in April 2023 to mark the start of constriction on the home. Thereafter they will build alongside Habitat staff and volunteers for the following months and have the home completed by 2024.
By mid-2025, Manatee Habitat aims to have the entire Poling Gardens community finished. With the constantly rising cost of land and building materials, it is donations like these that will allow them to get deserving families out of their insufficient rental situations and into decent affordable Habitat homes.
About Manatee County Habitat for Humanity
Creating a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Manatee County Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, ecumenical, volunteer-based organization with the mission to develop resources, educate and mobilize people to work alongside families in need, rehabilitating existing homes and building sustainable, affordable homes, thereby improving the quality of life in Manatee County. For more information visit manateehabitat.org