This Father’s Day we are spotlighting one of our new Washington Park homeowners Jhonson St. Remy. Jhonson and his wife Carrol are the proud parents of five children: Tatianna 19, Isaiah 16, Carolyn 12, Janaiya 10, and Tamela 5.

“Habitat has made it possible for my children to have a place to call home,” said Jhonson ST. Remy. “They will not have to move from school to school, as I had to do. This will be their home. This is where their friends can come visit after school. This home means everything to our family.”

In addition to being a dedicated father, Jhonson served for five years in the United States Marine Corps, where his service title was Fabric Repair Specialist. Upon departure, he was ranked an E5 Sergeant and received the following award recognitions; Presidential Unit Citation, Overseas Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Naval Sea Service Medal, and the Operation Iraqi Freedom Service Medal.

The St. Remy family currently resides in a two bedroom apartment where all five kids sleep in one bedroom, while the grandparents either sleep with the kids or on an air mattress in their living room.

Due to the charitable Family Home sponsorship from our dear friends at The Restaurant People, the St. Remys now have a five bedroom house to call their own. “Without Habitat this could not have been possible,” Carrol shares.

The family has worked tirelessly in completing 300 volunteer hours and attending 12 homebuyer educational classes in preparation to becoming homeowners. “My husband and I are now pursuing higher education,” says Carrol, who is currently studying for her Bachelors in Biology and Jhonson in Accounting. With the money they will save from their low-cost monthly mortgage, Carrol can focus on her goal of becoming a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.  Also, Tatianna has graduated from high school and is looking forward to attending college, with being offered scholarships to six different universities!