Habitat for Humanity of Marion County house blessings
Curtis and Christina Jones, left, and Britney Mann and her children, Caleb Brown, 9, Caiden Brown, 12, and Jada Kendrick, 14, right, are driven in a horse-drawn carriage to the Habitat for Humanity of Marion County house blessings, which were held next door to each other, on Northwest 14th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. Britney Mann’s new home was built by Habitat’s Women Build 2025 and the Jones’ home was built by Habitat’s Ocala/Marion County Association of Realtors Realtor Build. The Mann and Jones families received the keys to their new homes on NW 14th Street—homes built through sweat equity, volunteer labor, and the support of generous community partners. The event marked both the return of Women Build in Marion County and the impact of the Realtor Build program, highlighting how community-driven efforts are creating lasting housing solutions for local families. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2025.
In the early morning of Dec. 19, a horse-drawn carriage driven by Habitat for Humanity of Marion County’s Joanne Black, who is the chief development and retail officer, brought two families to blessings ceremonies for their new homes.
The months long endeavors saw the return to Habitat of a womens’ build and a realtors’ build.
At 748 NW 14th St., the home of Christina and Curtis Jones home was made possible through the dedication of the Ocala/Marion County Association of Realtors (OMCAR), whose members united this year to invest directly in solutions to the county’s housing challenges. Their work reflects a shared belief that every family deserves the chance to build a safe and stable future, the Habitat news release noted.
As with all Habitat homes, prospective homeowners must contribute “sweat equity” and partnering alongside volunteers throughout the journey.
The new home for Britney Mann and her children, Caleb Brown, 9, Caiden Brown, 12, and Jada Kendrick, 14, is at 730 NW 14th St.
Mann, a devoted mother, has spent the year working steadily through her sweat equity hours while preparing her family for the stability and security of homeownership. Her home represents the revival of Women Build in Marion County, a movement empowering women to step forward as leaders, builders and champions for affordable housing. The walls of her home were raised by volunteers, teams and sponsors who poured their hearts into creating a future where her children can grow, dream and thrive, according to the release.
The success of these two homes was made possible through the generosity of community partners who invested in local families and affordable housing solutions.
Women Build Home Sponsors included VITAS Healthcare, AGM Roofing, Ausley Construction, VIPcare and SaludVIP, InkSpot Graphics & Print, Wraps & Signs, Mainstreet Community Bank of Florida, Julie Mancini Photography, Harmony Business Solutions, That Party Girl, JNS Pressure Washing, Media Minds, Element 8in Studios, View Florida. La Hacienda, FD Printing, Striker Group, A State Farm – Bonnie L. Wasielewski Agency and a $50,000 anonymous donation from a local foundation, whose gift played a critical role in bringing the Women Build home to completion, the release noted.
Realtor Build Home Sponsors were led by OMCAR, whose members came together to fund, build, and advocate for affordable homeownership through their annual Realtor Build initiative, according to the release.
“This is what the holiday season is all about,” said Rob Peters, President/CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Marion County, in the release. “Two families, two homes and a community coming together to celebrate hope, hard work and the promise of a brighter tomorrow. These blessings remind us why our mission matters and why we continue to build — one family, one house, one story at a time.”
For more information visit habitatocala.org
Support community journalism
The first goal of the Ocala Gazette is to deliver trustworthy local journalism so corruption, misinformation and abuse are not hidden from the public or unchallenged.
