Page 6 - Boca Club News - December '20
P. 6
Page 6, Boca Club News
Boca Happenings
Two South Palm Beach County Families Cherish New
“Homes for the Holidays” from Habitat for Humanity
Continuing to build safe, affordable single-family homes that “regardless of the curve
for low-income, hard-working families during the COVID balls life throws at you, you can
months, albeit at a slower pace due to COVID-19 restrictions, reach your goals.” Ceasar is a
Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County has Palm Tran employee, two-time
fulfilled two dreams of homeownership in time to usher in cancer survivor, a single mom
the holiday season. of a son, Marcus, who was
Even the need to stay social distanced to be “together, born with congenital disorders;
yet apart” did not damper the exhilaration as the homes were she is proud that after more
blessed and keys passed to the new Habitat homebuyers, than three years she will be
Greta Ceasar and Reginald Moss, and their families. On hand able to finally move out of her
to celebrate were representatives from Habitat for Humanity mother’s house to give her son
of South Palm Beach County and its home sponsors, Sklar a place he can call home.
Furnishings and Publix Super Markets Charities who, along Supporting the belief that
with the Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency affordable housing plays a
(CRA), City of Boynton Beach, partnered in the build. critical role in strong and
The Ceasar and Moss Habitat homes are located within stable communities, the
the Heart of Boynton District and the Poinciana Gardens affiliate of the global nonprofit
neighborhood as part of the City and CRA’s Model Block organization, Habitat for
project that, when completed, will consist of 10 new for-sale Humanity International, Days before Thanksgiving, Habitat Home Sponsor Publix Super Markets Charities
single-family homes. Three more three-bedroom, two-bath provides a transformational representatives were onsite to dedicate and celebrate the passing of the keys to the
Habitat homes on the block are currently under construction, “hand-up, never a hand-out” Moss Family.
for which the nonprofit will facilitate zero-interest mortgages by bringing municipalities and
for additional qualified, hard-working, low-income future their CRAs, corporate partners
Habitat Homebuyers. and people together to build
“Everyone involved in the build, completion and homes, community, and hope in
dedication of these homes certainly felt exceptionally South Palm Beach County. To
blessed, especially as we ‘ring in’ the holiday season,” said fulfill its mission, Habitat for
Habitat’s CEO and President Randy Nobles. “Each Habitat Humanity of South Palm Beach
Partner family has its own story of struggle -- albeit health or County depends upon volunteer
financial – or both, and a long journey of personal setbacks labor and tax-deductible
and disappointments, but they prevailed by staying focused donations of money, materials,
in their resiliency to make life better for their children and services and property.
grandchildren. Both are first-time home buyers.” Locally, the organization’s
Moss has been employed in Nutritional Services at role focuses on improving
Delray Medical Center for 18 years, was a dedicated family housing affordability across the
caregiver to two ailing aunts, is a single dad of five children housing continuum in Boynton
who is proud to be role model for his family, demonstrating Beach, Delray Beach and Boca
Raton in four specific policy
areas: increasing supply and
preservation of affordable
homes, equitably increasing Ushering in the holiday season, Habitat Home Sponsor Sklar Furnishings representatives
access to credit, optimizing land were proud to share in the dedication celebration of the Ceasar family home. From left:
use for affordable homes, and Rick Howard, Pat Howard, Linda Paton, Blake Frankovich and Greta Ceasar.
ensuring access communities
of opportunity. The Ceasar Family: At the age of 14, Greta Ceasar
For more information on Habitat for Humanity of South moved from Alabama to Delray Beach when her parents
Palm Beach County and its Future Homebuyer Program, visit divorced.
www.habitatsouthpalmbeach.org or call (561) 819-6070. Greta and her six siblings lived with her uncle while her
The Moss Family: Reginald Moss is a native of Delray mother worked tirelessly to provide for her family. Greta
Beach, Florida. Reginald’s parents separated when he was often took on the responsibility of helping her mother clean
eight years old and he lived most of his childhood with homes after school to contribute financially. Eventually, they
his paternal grandmother. After graduating from Atlantic saved enough money to purchase a home. Greta learned
Community High School, Reginald moved in with his early in life the importance of making sacrifices for her
maternal grandparents, where his two chronically ill aunts family. Upon graduating from New England Tech with
were also living. Reginald took on the responsibility of an associate degree in Science, Greta fell in love. Despite
assisting to care for them until they passed away. He learned her family’s disapproval, she got married and followed
early in life that caring for family is a labor of love. Having a her husband to Florence, Alabama. After facing years of
strained income and the added weight of a failing relationship, domestic abuse, she found the courage to leave him and
Reginald could not pursue his dreams of purchasing his own return home to her support system.
home as a young adult. Reginald was forced to continue A few months later, Greta found out she was pregnant.
to reside in his grandparents’ home while taking on the After a difficult labor, her son Marcus was born with several
responsibility of fatherhood. congenital disorders. The doctors believed Marcus wouldn’t
Reginald is now a proud father of five children: Reginald live long, but with the continuous help of occupational and
Jr., Shanikque, Breanna, Ryan and the youngest, Reagan, who speech therapy he was able to work through his disabilities.
currently lives with him. Reginald’s passion for helping people In April of 2015, Greta was diagnosed with stage three
is not only evident in the way he serves his family, but also Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. After eight months of extensive
members of his community. For more than 18 years, Reginald treatment, the doctors found more cancer. Greta was ready
has worked in Nutritional Services at Delray Medical Center. It to give up, but when the tests eventually came back benign
was there that Reginald befriended a Habitat homeowner who she chose to see this as God giving her another chance.
introduced him to the program and explained how Habitat for Greta had a new outlook on life and decided to volunteer
Humanity works with aspiring first-time homeowners while at a local voting poll. Another volunteer encouraged her
guiding them to a more financially stable life. to apply for a Habitat home; however, Greta doubted she
Ready and eager to stand on his own again, Reginald would ever be accepted into the program. Reluctantly, she
applied for the program and was denied due to credit issues. filled out an application and to her surprise she was invited
For the next year, Reginald dedicated himself to budgeting to the future homeowner orientation.
and working hard to improve his finances, while being Greta has worked for Palm Tran for nearly seven years
a dedicated father to all of his children. When the next and has been saving for a home and providing for her son.
application cycle opened, he reapplied and was accepted! Through this venture, Greta has built a loving community
Reginald is committed to paying off his mortgage and of Habitat homeowners that continue to encourage her along
owning a home to pass on to his children. He is excited about the way. She uses her own experiences to encourage others
mowing his own lawn and taking on future home repairs. and she is proud of her journey. After three years, Greta is
Reginald is proud to set an example to family and friends thrilled to finally move out of her mother’s house and give
that, regardless of the curve balls life throws at you, you can her son a place to call home. On July 14th, she welcomed
reach your goals. Hard work, dedication, determination and a new grandson, Malik, into their family.
faith will lead you to amazing opportunities. Reginald Moss What a perfect time to celebrate a new addition to Greta’s
is truly a well deserving Habitat homeowner. family!