AutoNation and Habitat for Humanity of Broward celebrate completion of new Fort Lauderdale home for registered nurse and single mother of five after major community build project

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – A long-awaited dream became reality in Fort Lauderdale as AutoNation, Inc. and Habitat for Humanity of Broward came together to dedicate a newly built home to a registered nurse and single mother of five, marking a moment filled with emotion, gratitude and community support.

The home dedication took place at BBI Village, located at 1900 Northwest 10th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, a neighborhood that was itself shaped through earlier community building efforts involving AutoNation during Habitat for Humanity of Broward’s CEO Build initiatives in 2025 and 2026. The setting underscored a larger story of ongoing development, where corporate volunteers and nonprofit partners have worked side by side to expand access to affordable housing.

At the center of the celebration was Meucine Jean, a dedicated healthcare worker who has spent years balancing demanding professional responsibilities with raising five children. Working as a registered nurse for Aetna/CVS since 2014, Jean has built a career rooted in compassion and patient care, while also carrying the full weight of single parenthood at home.

For Jean, the path to homeownership was not easy. Like many working families, she faced rising housing costs that left little financial room to save. At times, rent consumed more than half of her monthly income, creating constant pressure and making long-term stability feel out of reach. Still, she continued to work and support her children, driven by a desire to create a safer and more stable environment for them.

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“Family means everything to me, and I have dreamed of owning a home in a safe neighborhood where my children could play outside,” Jean said. Those words captured the emotional core of a journey that stretched across years of uncertainty and perseverance.

That dream began to shift into reality when AutoNation associates joined Habitat for Humanity volunteers and future homeowners to build the house through hands-on participation and financial support. In total, AutoNation contributed 300 hours of sweat equity alongside Jean and her family, while also providing a $100,000 sponsorship toward the construction of the home.

The effort was more than symbolic. Workers, volunteers and Jean’s family spent months contributing time and energy to bring the home to completion, reinforcing the idea that homeownership in this model is built through shared effort rather than handed over passively.

During the dedication ceremony, AutoNation leadership highlighted Jean’s determination and the significance of the milestone.

“On behalf of AutoNation, I congratulate Meucine for her determination and unwavering dedication to her family,” said Lisa Ryans, Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Communications for AutoNation and Habitat for Humanity Board Member. “We’re honored to partner with Habitat for Humanity and proud to have played a role in helping make her dream of owning a home a reality.”

The celebration also included a small but meaningful added gesture. The AutoNation Mobile Service Team provided complimentary car care for Jean’s vehicle, with services scheduled to be performed at her new home, offering continued practical support beyond the build itself.

For Habitat for Humanity of Broward, the project reflects a long-standing partnership with AutoNation that spans more than 25 years. Over that time, the company has helped sponsor six home builds and contributed hundreds of volunteer hours to housing projects across the region.

“AutoNation’s longstanding commitment to Habitat Broward continues to change lives and strengthen local communities in meaningful ways,” said Nancy Robin, CEO and Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Broward. “Through their generosity, volunteerism and partnership over the past 25 years, families like Meucine Jean’s are able to achieve the stability, security and hope that affordable homeownership makes possible.”

The organization emphasizes that these projects are about more than physical structures. They are about stability, long-term opportunity and the ability for families to invest in their futures without the constant strain of housing insecurity.

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For Jean, the impact extends far beyond the walls of the house. The new home represents safety, consistency and a foundation for her children’s future. It also reflects the legacy of her mother, who modeled resilience and strength while raising her in Little Haiti. Now, Jean hopes to pass those same values on to her own children, along with a tangible sense of security.

With the move-in complete, the family is beginning a new chapter in an environment designed for stability and growth. The change is expected to ease financial pressure and allow Jean to focus more fully on her children’s education, well-being and long-term development.

AutoNation’s broader involvement with Habitat for Humanity of Broward continues to highlight how corporate partnerships can directly influence local housing needs. In the past year alone, AutoNation associates contributed more than 450 volunteer hours to support families transitioning from housing insecurity to homeownership.

While statistics and sponsorship numbers help illustrate the scale of the effort, the most visible outcome is now standing in Fort Lauderdale: a finished home, a grateful family and a moment that brought years of struggle and hope together in one meaningful dedication ceremony.

For Meucine Jean and her five children, the keys handed over that day represent far more than access to a house. They mark the beginning of stability, opportunity and a future built on persistence, community and shared effort.