This winter will mark a very special season for the Jenkins family, as they celebrate their first winter in a home with heat.

Corey and Arika Jenkins, the parents of six children, have experienced the many hardships of living in sub-standard housing.  Last year this time, they were living in a single wide mobile home that was in a state of deterioration.  “There were lots of holes in the floor and you could see the insulation through the floor,” says Arica Jenkins.  In addition to the decrepit floor, the trailer also had no heat. 

“It was so cold in the winter that you could see your breath inside the house,” says Arica.  “We would boil a pot of water on the stove to try and warm the house, but it didn’t really work well.”  The conditions were so bad that their eleven year old son developed severe asthma and experienced an episode where he was nearly hospitalized.

Despite the dire circumstances, Arika never complained.  “Things always could have been worse,” she says optimistically.  Today, Arika’s living situation has greatly improved as a result of Sea Island Habitat. 

Arika and her family moved into their new home in Habitat Place on April 1, 2008 and love all the new space.  The 4 bedroom house allows her children to have lots of room to play and live, and with 6 children ranging in age from 5 to 17, that’s a great blessing! “I just thank God every day for this great opportunity I have been given,” says Arika.

This Christmas season is an especially joyous time for the Jenkins family and holiday cheer has taken over their home.  “My children have decorated the house with lots of Christmas decorations and are constantly playing Christmas music,” says Arika. “But the best Christmas blessing of all has been this home.”