Today was a special milestone for the Costa family. A family of 12 children with mom and dad, Tanya and Jose Costa accepted the keys to their new Habitat for Humanity-built home located on Runnymede Road, just north of St.Clair Avenue West.
Jose Costa, his wife Tanya, and their children Julia, Cynthia, Daniel, Benjamin, Christopher, Jacob, Claudia, Jeremy, William, Noah, Nathaniel and Nadia joined Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area representatives, their partners, sponsors, and community volunteers for this momentous day.
“My family and I can’t thank you enough for coming out and helping us build our home,” Tanya said, choking back tears. “I want you to know how much it’s touched our hearts. I will never forget all your blood, sweat and tears – my tears – that have gone into this home. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We’ll never, ever forget you.”
This home will change the lives of the Costa family forever.“For six years, we lived in a house beyond repair. It was not a home, just a place to stay,” comments Julia, eldest of the children. “Then, one of my mom’s friends told her about Habitat for Humanity.” Up until today the family had occupied a rental home with five bedrooms and only one bathroom, with the living room converted into a bedroom. Four of the children, under the age of 12, have been diagnosed with autism.
Many community members, along with some of the Costa family members helped on the job site, Julia has even created a documentary chronicling her family’s journey to home ownership. The house, at 828 Runnymede Rd., is unique with seven bedrooms and four bathrooms, for a unique family.
Through support of corporate sponsors, including Modular Home Additions Ltd, Habitat GTA was able to provide the affordable home with the donation of the exterior by Modular Home Additions Ltd. Habitat volunteers, including the family who contributed 500 hours of ‘sweat equity’, completed the interior and landscaping of the home.
Since 1988, 270 families have moved into Habitat homes in the regions of Brampton, Caledon, York and Toronto.
Update: Here is the story covered by Global TV‘s, Susan Hay under the Making a Difference segement.
