Single Mom Helps Build First HabiJax Green Home

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- From the front yard of her new home, Tonya Daniels stares at a large, wooden frame. But she sees much more than just wood and nails. She sees a place where the single mother of two teenagers will make a home. "Just looking at the frame right now and knowing that in about eight weeks, it's going to be all put together and it's going to be a real home -- I'm really excited about that," Daniels said.

It's her first time owning a home. With the help of HabiJax, Daniels is helping to build it. When it's finished in June, the home will be the first "green" home for HabiJax.

The team of builders is made of women. This is the fourth Women Build HabiJax has taken on.

All the materials used to construct the home are recyclable and reusable.

Senator Bill Nelson and his wife Grace also pitched in to help. Daniels, who works at the the Julington Creek Medical Center, has spent the past several months completing her 300 hours of sweat equity. Now she will spend the next eight weeks, helping to build her own home.

While the road ahead will be full of hard work and a lot of hammering, Daniels says the reward will be worth it in the end.

"The first thing I'm going to do once I walk through the doors is thank the Lord because without him, I wouldn't have made it this far."