Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital employees Andre and Tyshawnna Wesley and their four sons, Chayse, Avion, Ashton and Adrian, now have a home in the Largo area.
The family was the beneficiary of Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside’s 2026 CEO Build. According to the organization’s CEO and president Mike Sutton, the annual initiative is another way to get local business leaders involved in the community.
A dedication ceremony was held Monday.
“It was a very long journey, but it was worth it,” Andre Wesley said. “It shows our kids that you can do anything you put your mind to.”
According to a prepared statement, the Wesley family has “struggled with overcrowded and inadequate housing.” More critically, “concerns about safety, ventilation and health have worsened their situation.”
This year’s effort was supported by more than 100 executives. These included individuals from the St. Petersburg Economic Development Corporation, Creative Contractors, Evara Health and Achieva Credit Union.
Over $250,000 was raised to help finance Habitat’s work. CEOs and presidents, Sutton added, also played an active and physical role in constructing the home. About 70% of these individuals attended a build day.
“When you look at the families that Habitat serves, they are families we rely on in the community,” he said. “They’re getting priced out.”
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital president Alicia Schulhof was one of the executives who participated in the CEO Build. She also presented Andre and Tyshawnna Wesley with the keys to their new home.
“It’s such an incredible and empowering moment,” Schulhof said. “They are now anchored in the community and they are anchors in our hospital.”
Recipients are not given a “free” house, Sutton explained. They need to have a job and earn 30 to 80% of the Area Median Income.
“There’s a lot of misconceptions about our work,” he said. “Families pay a mortgage and contribute to the tax base. We’re providing them a hand up.”
Habitat home owners must complete sweat equity hours (volunteering with the organization) and attend 38 home buyer education classes. The Wesley family, Sutton added, exceeded their commitment of 450 hours.
The Wesleys were not the only individuals honored Monday; three other homes were dedicated as well. These houses were purchased by the Thomas, Sulaiman-AbdulRazzaq and Lancaster families.
Aaron and Catherine Thomas have three children, Gabriel, Kahlia and Jahleel. Currently, the family lives in a shared home with Aaron’s parents. This limited space has proved to be a challenge for the children. Aaron is an electrician for the Pinellas County School Board and also leads a nonprofit youth basketball program.
Mohammad Sulaiman and his wife, Hanan AbdulRazzaq are dedicated to providing the American dream to their children, Reem, Bana, Lana and Mousa. The family has resided in the U.S. for eight years.
Rochelle Lancaster’s goal is to not only create a stable home for her son, Kenyawn, but her three nephews, Gerald, Terryon, and Dontrell. They currently live in an overcrowded apartment. Rochelle works as a certified nursing assistant at Lexington Care Center in St. Petersburg.
Habitat leaders also hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 20 home community, Sandhill Ridge, today in New Port Richey.
“It’s our largest project to date in Pasco County,” Sutton explained. “There’s not much affordable housing being built in the area outside of rental. It’ll be a transformational project for the community.”
The property was acquired a couple years ago. Habitat will begin to clear the land in the next few weeks, he added.
Infrastructure should be installed by early July. Then, vertical construction will commence. Families are expected to start moving in by the end of the year.