Army veteran Lawrence Bluestone is the first recipient of our new program.
Habitat for Heroes Rehab Program Launches with Great Success!
With the goal to improve the housing stock for local veterans, the Habitat for Heroes program kicked off last month with the completion of significant home repairs for two Army veterans living in mobile home parks.
The first veteran, Lawrence Bluestone, lives in the Bonaventure Mobile Home Park in Clovis, a park where more than 70 percent of residents are veterans. Suffering from limited mobility in recent years, Lawrence hasn’t been able to maintain his home as well as he used to.
Significant roof leaks caused by a faulty water cooler went on to deteriorate walls and ceilings, and a handicap ramp was difficult to use because of a door that swung the wrong way. In short order, volunteers removed the old and installed a new window cooler, replaced and painted walls and ceilings, changed the swing of the door so the ramp was easier to use, and made his home look new and sparkling again. Most importantly, Lawrence’s home is now much safer.
Our Critical Home Repair Response volunteer team in front of Linda White's home.
Linda White, the second veteran, lives in The Meadows Mobile Home Park in Madera. She also suffers from mobility issues and badly needed home improvements to allow her to safely live there. Habitat for Heroes replaced her roof, installed new safety railings and entry steps, and replaced a bathtub with a more accessible utility shower.
Jerry Zuniga, the Habitat Director of Preservation Housing & Aging Services, said the two projects bring awareness to the importance of preserving mobile homes and allowing homeowners to maintain their autonomy and spend the rest of their aging years safely and enjoying the pride of home ownership.
Habitat Completes Its 300th Act of Kindness Project
A major milestone was achieved recently when the 3-year-old Habitat Act of Kindness (AOK) program completed its 300th project!
The project benefited senior Frank April who lives in the Westlake Mobile Home Park in Fresno. Frank no longer drives and has lost a lot of physical strength. He became very depressed as he saw the vegetation grow out of control around his house and wasn’t able to clean it up himself.
When Habitat’s Chelsi Allen-Johnson, Resident Engagement Coordinator, and the AmeriCorps Neighborhood Revitalization Crew arrived, they removed overgrown weeds, washed all the windows, trimmed shrubs and power-washed his home. Frank watched with such appreciation as his home and yard were transformed. He shared stories with the crew and repeatedly told them they would be blessed for the good work they do for him and others through Habitat.
The project marked a milestone for Chelsi too! Her first assignment with Habitat was to work on the 200th AOK project in January of last year. Frank’s AOK project marked the 100th project she had the opportunity to be a part of. We give thanks for Chelsi and all of those involved in the projects over the years.
Habitat's NR team celebrates the milestone with Frank April.
Team of Habitat volunteers raise the walls on the first veteran home.
Veteran Home Now Has a Family
In December, Habitat broke ground on the first of two veteran homes in Clovis with the official wall raising and framing, in partnership with the Fresno Association of Realtors Home for Veterans Campaign that took place in early April. Not long after, the walls were raised and framed for the entire home and team Habitat, along with its funding partner, surprised David Munoz, who is recently retired from the army, his wife Daniela, their newborn son Mateo and Daniela’s mom Maria Elizabeth with the new 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home through Habitat self-help affordable homeownership program.
The Munoz family lived in a very small 1-bedroom apartment. The apartment was in fair condition but had very little living space for a family of four, limited storage space and no back yard. The family saved every penny they could, but they were priced out of the market and that is where Habitat’s homeownership program came in.
The Munoz home is being built in memory of a long-time supporter of Habitat and Executive Vice President of the Fresno Association of Realtors, Gerard Lozano, who passed away in October. Gerard’s wife, Donna Lozano has spent many weekends building the home.
“It was an honor and a privilege to be a part of the team that framed and participated telling the Munoz’s that they are able to purchase Gerard’s Homes for Veterans. Watching friends and family, that loved Gerard so much, all working together to honor him and create a home for a deserving Veteran family made me so proud,” Donna said.
Munoz's family poses for a group photo after they learned they were selected.
