Blog: Rising to the Challenge
Rising to the Challenge
Apr 19, 2023
Building Community
Scanlon Auto Group is helping to build up the Southwest Florida community one Habitat for Humanity home at a time. On September 26, 2022, employees from Scanlon Auto Group left their ties and dress shoes at home and laced up their work boots to help build the framework of an affordable home for a local mother and son. For Scanlon Auto Group, it was our 36th home build with Habitat. For Kayla and her son, it’s their very first home.
The wall raising was the beginning stages of building a new home. The morning started with only a concrete slab on the ground and by the end of the day, the team had all the walls of a home raised. Then, just a week later, Hurricane Ian hit. Amazingly there was minimal damage to the walls and structure after the hurricane.
Currently, single mom Kayla and her 12-year-old son live in overcrowded conditions and are sleeping in the kitchen of a family member’s home. Kayla’s desire to provide her son with the space and stability he deserves motivated her to come to Habitat for a permanent solution. Kayla qualified for Habitat’s Affordable Homeownership Program because she showed that she has a need, the ability to pay a mortgage and the willingness to partner with Habitat. Like all Habitat Homebuyers, Kayla meets regularly with a Housing Counselor, will contribute 300 hours of sweat equity, participates in home maintenance and financial literacy classes, and will pay $2,000 toward closing costs.
Soon, Kayla will officially buy her home through Habitat and she and her son will have their own rooms and the opportunity to thrive in a stable home.
Corporate Giving
Helping to build up the community is one reason Scanlon Auto Group partners with Habitat for Humanity. Scanlon agrees with Habitat that everyone deserves to be able to purchase a home with an affordable mortgage. A decent home gives people the strength, stability, and independence to take care of themselves and build their own futures.
Jay Scanlon
"I don’t think people realize what an impact Habitat has and the need that this community has had for the past 20 years,” Scanlon Auto Group owner Jay Scanlon said. “For us to be able to hire and attract people to this market, every business needs to be involved, whether it’s with Habitat or some sort of influence bringing light to the need for affordable housing."
By partnering with Habitat for Humanity, Scanlon Auto Group demonstrates are commitment to social and environmental responsibility while also making a positive impact in our community. It’s always a great way to build morale and work as a team.
The Spirit of Giving
In addition to the Habitat for Humanity and the Boys & Girls Club of Lee County, Scanlon Automotive has been major sponsors of the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and the Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, they are also major contributors to The United Way of Lee County, The Junior League of Fort Myers, ECHO Global Food & Farm Festival, Arts for ACT, The Harry Chapin Food Bank, SW Florida Regional Human Trafficking Coalition, and many other organizations that support the people and the Arts in our area.