MIAMI, FL – November 23, 2010 – Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami and Burger King Corp. (BKC) will present nine Miami Gardens residents with the keys to their new homes on Wednesday, December 1st, 2010.  The dedication ceremony will take place at 1855 NW 151st Street at 2:00pm.

The home dedications represent the culmination of a three month rehabilitation project sponsored by BKC, which has transformed three entire residential blocks of Miami Gardens.  Once riddled with abandoned properties and plagued by crime, the 1800-2100 block of NW 151st Street now features nine renovated homes occupied by nine engaged, empowered families.

This transformation is the product of a concerted effort by both Miami Habitat and BKC employees to revitalize communities by providing home ownership opportunities to low income families.  BKC sponsored the rehabilitation effort, and more than 200 volunteers from the BURGER KING® family have worked on the build sites since October 5th. 

As part of Habitat for Humanity’s Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, these nine homes are advancing the larger aim of creating sustainable communities out of blighted neighborhoods.  “When families own homes they are more empowered and respond with greater civic engagement,” said Miami Gardens Mayor Shirley Gibson, who will attend the dedication ceremony Wednesday.  “Homeownership is now a reality for these nine families thanks to our new partners, Miami Habitat and Burger King Corp.”

“Burger King Corp. is dedicated to giving back to the communities in which we work and live,” said Ivette Diaz, Director, Corporate Social Responsibility, Burger King Corporation.  “We are proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity to help hard working families fulfill their dreams of owning a home, and we are thrilled to have completed the work on these homes just in time for the holidays.” 

New Miami Gardens homeowner Coqwanna Williams, who will receive the keys to her home on Wednesday, credits Miami Habitat, BKC volunteers, and her faith with making her dream of home ownership a reality.  “[The Lord] has given me the strength and courage to have a place to raise my daughter in a nice and comfortable neighborhood,” she says.   “My daughter will be stable and secure as she gets older.”