When Carmen heard the wind howl and the roof of her house groan, she prayed the trees wouldn’t fall. Now, she draws on the small comforts of home — the flowers and plants, her grandchild’s toys, and the bark of her loyal dog – and she feels safe.
“He pulls me out of depression the moment I hear him bark,” she said of her dog, Carisma. Even through fear and uncertainty, Carmen has found renewed joy and security in her home after partnering with Habitat’s Home Repair program.
Carmen moved to the United States from Mexico nearly four decades ago, just after her first child was born. While raising her three children, she preferred working at night so she could be around in the mornings and pick them up after school. She worked in restaurants, hotels, casinos, and even at a newspaper. Her favorite job? Cleaning hotel rooms. She’d time herself to clean 25 rooms in eight hours. “I worked really hard,” she said. “I did it all. I wish I still could, because I like to work and be active.”
Though she is no longer physically able to work, Carmen’s care and energy go back into her home. From the vibrant colors on the walls to the blooming plants she tends, she is reflected in every detail. Her house is filled with joy, faith, and family — a place where she welcomes her grandchild, finds comfort in her dog, and surrounds herself with symbols of her beliefs.
Even a nurtured home like Carmen’s can begin to show its wear. Despite her efforts, time and weather have taken their toll. Cracks in the bricks, a deteriorating roof, and broken windows and doors have made it harder to feel safe and comfortable. “I felt like the house was going to collapse on me,” she said. “I saw the trees above the roof and just prayed to God they wouldn’t fall.” She also stopped using her front door during winter months to protect herself from the cold.
“This is a huge help, and I will be grateful for it all my life,” Carmen said “I try to take care of my home by myself or with my children, but it needed more work.”
Carmen’s daughter helped her apply to Habitat Metro Denver’s Home Repair program after she saw it on the news. “Habitat fell on me like angels from heaven,” she said. Habitat staff equipped her home for the winter by replacing windows and doors, fixing the roof, and insulating her home. These repairs will help Carmen stay warm and lower electricity costs. Habitat also installed a new fence, painted trim, and removed invasive trees around her home.
Over the years, Carmen’s home has remained a constant, but the neighborhood has changed dramatically. What was once a close-knit community where neighbors looked out for one another has become quieter, more distant.
“In the past, we used to be like a community; we looked after one another,” she said. “I used to know the neighbors; we used to talk to each other.” Now, Carmen finds it harder to connect. “The new neighbors sometimes say hi, sometimes they just walk by. They seem busy all the time. To each their own. It’s not the same as before.”
The shift hasn’t just been social. Buildings have replaced single-family homes, and the terrain around her property has been elevated, causing rainwater, leaves, and trash to spill into her yard. With more traffic and fewer familiar faces, Carmen now relies more on children. Despite the changes, she remains deeply attached to her house and hopes to stay there for the rest of her life.
Thanks to Carmen’s partnership with Habitat, she can continue living in the home she’s poured her heart into — surrounded by color, warmth, and the bark of a dog who reminds her she’s never alone.
