ST. PETERSBURG — After completing a program with Habitat for Humanity, a Pinellas County school nurse now has the key to a brand new home.

Artesha Adras volunteered over 100 hours of her own time building homes for others as well as her own.

"I helped a lot of wonderful families get their homes built up, anywhere from landscaping, painting, just going out and helping them," she said.

During an economy and housing crisis where Adras says she saw so many struggle, she didn't think homeownership was possible for her.

"It's just a reality right now and it made me want to fight more for people to be able to become (homeowners) either in Habitat or some other program and to allow them live in conditions that are conducive to healthy living," he added.

Across town in Saint Petersburg, Adras and her two kids have lived in a two-bedroom apartment for four years. 

Between plumbing issues, mold and a broken air conditioning unit, the school nurse says they've been through it all.

She's finally moving on one box and step at a time and opening a brand new door in her family's life.

"Your home should be your peace, solitude and where were wasn't," she added.

As a new homeowner she's well on her way to creating new happy memories in her forever home.

Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties has served over 900 families and individuals through its new home buyer and exterior repair programs using locally raised funds.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties, call (727) 536-4755 or visit www.habitatpwp.org.