Restored Hope: Stories

Restored Hope

Ms. Joan’s Story

Ms. Joan has lived in her home since 1960. She raised her five children with her husband in her home. Since her husband passed away 14 years ago, she struggled to keep up with the repairs needed to help make her home safe. Ms. Joan said that her husband kept up with the repairs when he was alive. “Sometimes I just can’t do it all,” she said. “Since my husband passed, these are things that I could not do on my own.”

When she called Revitalize T-Town, Ms. Joan was fearful when she used her bathroom because the floor was caving in, and it was dangerous to walk on. When RTT first visited Ms. Joan’s home, she had just been released from the hospital due to breathing issues. “I didn't know how I was going to pay for repairs,” Ms. Joan said.

Ms. Joan received a new bathroom floor and other safety repairs, including handrails, for her back-porch steps. Ms. Joan no longer has to be fearful when she uses her bathroom or the steps into her backyard. “I am thankful for your program that was able to assist me in making my home safe and nice."

“I am thankful for your program that was able to assist me in making my home safe and nice."

Mr. Michael is an army veteran. When he was just 18 years old, he was stationed at Fort Knox. He has lived in his home for 24 years.

Unfortunately, Mr. Michael has had to visit the hospital multiple times recently due to blockages in his legs. As a result of these health issues, Mr. Michael needed safety repairs like handrails out the front door and into the garage and grab bars in his bathroom. His ceiling also had gaping holes caused by an old roof leak above his kitchen table, living room and bedroom. The fan and light above his kitchen did not work either because of the previous leaks.

Due to Mr. Michael’s health issues and limited income, he could not make these huge repairs on his own. Mr. Michael received energy efficiency repairs including ceiling repair, a new ceiling fan and light, handrails at his front door and garage and grab bars in his bathroom!

Mr. Michael is extremely grateful for the work that has been done on his home. "I appreciate you all so much!"

Ms. Connie’s Story

Ms. Connie has lived in her home for six years and has spent four of those years waiting for a new roof. Although she saved money every month to go toward repairing her home, Ms. Connie’s back problems and limited income made replacing her roof nearly impossible to do on her own.

In addition to her roof, her back door wouldn’t lock, and her bathroom subfloor was so damaged that Ms. Connie worried she would fall through when stepping on it. “I try, but it is so hard to be able to pay to get everything done at my income level,” she said.

Revitalize T-Town completed all these repairs for Ms. Connie, making her home a safe place to live. After seeing the long-awaited repairs, she said, “You have no idea how good it feels to have my home fixed up.”

Ms. Connie was so grateful for the work that Revitalize T-Town did for her that she sent a handwritten thank you letter. "To see all these things manifest has filled me with hope again for my final years," she said. "This gift has lifted my entire being- my heart, my soul, my health, because you helped my home!"