Mike Smollins

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Oct 1, 2026, 5:14 PM

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Updated

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A U.S. Army veteran and mother of three now has a new title - homeowner.

Habitat for Humanity built a new home in Wyandanch for Shinita Gray-Virgil and her family and dedicated it to them on Thursday.

"It means a lot," Gray-Virgil said. "Its a full-circle moment actually. I grew up with a lot of my aunts and uncles who had homes in the town, so we're familiar and it's like we never left. We do belong, truly"

The family had previously lived in hotels and several apartments after being forced to move from their previous home when the property owner died.

The home was constructed through Habitat for Humanity's Long Island Veteran Build Program. Gray-Virgil, a paralegal for the Town of Islip, said she was thrilled to be able to stay on Long Island.

"I've seen so many families' legacies move out of state because of affordability," she said. "I'm probably the last of my family to remain in New York, on Long Island specifically, and this is just a legacy for myself and my children."