On June 6, 2015, Manatee Habitat dedicated house number 119 and home to Millie Cupeles and Jose Cruz and their 2 sons. Thanks to sponsors Bank of America and PepsiCo. Andy Minor presented a plaque to the family on behalf of Bank of America. Michael Martz from PepsiCo and Habitat Board members gave the family a lovely housewarming gift. Millie and Jose worked a total of 500 hours of sweat equity to be eligible to purchase their Habitat home.
Jose Luis Rodriguez Cruz and Miligros (Millie) Cabrera Cupeles are married and have two sons ages 12 & 13. Both boys are “A” students. Joshua is in the 8th Grade and Michael is in the 6th grade, and both attend Electa Lee Middle School. Jose works for Florida Marine Research, Inc. in Sarasota. Miligros is a stay at home mom.
Their previous housing situation was very poor. They lived in a tough neighborhood on 8th Street Court, East in Bradenton that is drug infested and crime ridden. They are paying $625 for a very small, two bedroom, one bath home. The heating and air was unsatisfactory and the lighting in the home is very poor. Habitat is thrilled to help provide them a new, safe home in which to live.