ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The sweet sounds of construction.

They sound even sweeter when it’s for a first time home owner.

What You Need To Know

  •  Tangela Butler is a school bus driver with Pinellas County Schools

  •  Two years ago, after rent prices kept increasing, she was nearly homeless

  •  She became a first time home owner with help from Habitat for Humanity

Tangela Butler is a school bus driver in Pinellas County and with the help of Habitat for Humanity, she is building her first home. Literally, building her first home. This is the sweat equity all Habitat homeowners have to exert.

“I’m learning a lot,” she said. “I had no idea.”

Tangela’s not doing it alone. She’s got the backing of the Habitat community. On this day, that included CEO’s from all of the Tampa Bay Area. And a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Ronde Barber put his sanding skills to work. There was something about Tangela’s story that touched his heart.

“As someone who didn’t grow up in a house, grew up in apartments my entire life,” Ronde said, “my first house was the one I bought for my mom when I got drafted by the Bucs. So, you understand what it means to have something of your own.”

Tangela can relate to Ronde’s upbringing. She had always lived in apartments with her twin sons until she finally qualified for a Habitat home. That hand up, not a hand out, is exactly what she needed for her family. Every Habitat family has a story to share and Tangela’s is one that will inspire others.

“For Tangela, what’s so amazing to me is the willpower that she had two years ago when she felt she was about to be homeless to say no, this is not acceptable,” Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County/West Pasco CEO Mike Sutton said.

That determination is what let Tangela to this point, where she was standing in front of the movers and shakers of Tampa Bay, thanking them for helping to lend a hand with her home. And she gave them sharpies to sign the house and bless it. Because she is beyond blessed to be in this position considering where she once was.

“Two years ago, I was staring homelessness in the face,” Tangela said. “I just remember crying my eyes out and I’m like I have no where to go, no where to go.”

Now she’s a couple of months away from moving in. The phrase there’s no place like home has a whole new meaning for this new homeowner.