Since they purchased their home six years ago, Marcus and Dawnielle have been slowly but intentionally making improvements to it. They ripped up aging carpet, painted the rooms, and installed a new bathroom.
But despite their intentional work, they haven’t been able to keep up with major repairs on the home, built in 1955. So they were ecstatic to learn about Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver’s home repair program with the City of Commerce City. Through the program, Habitat staff and volunteers are taking their home improvements to an even more stable and comprehensive level – including new windows and doors, fresh paint, and made vital weatherization improvements.
“We’re so grateful for all the work that they’d done,” shares Dawnielle, who had worked as a barista at a coffee shop until her health problems worsened. Marcus, works at a supermarket part-time.
Habitat for Humanity and Commerce City’s ACT Program (Advancing Commerce City Together) partner to make critical home repairs to increase the security, comfort, and safety of homeowners with fixed or limited incomes.
Dawnielle saw an ad in the city newsletter explaining the program and giving a website for applicants. “We couldn’t have done it ourselves or afford to have it done,” shares Dawnielle.
The crews of Habitat staff and volunteers replaced the home’s torn siding and painted the trim, the carport, and the porch. They’re also trimming the trees and taking out dead branches.
Habitat also replaced the drafty windows and doors, and put in storm doors in the front and back. “If not for Habitat, we would have had to live with it the way it was.”
As Habitat staff and volunteers have been working on their home, Marcus and Dawnielle have enjoyed getting to know the whole crew – which has been 10 or more people on each repair day. “They did an excellent job. You couldn’t ask for better,” shares Marcus.
“We talk to the volunteers all the time,” shares Dawnielle. “We’ve gotten to know them pretty well. They are really friendly and helpful. They love our dog, a Great Pyrenees.
He doesn’t get in the way.”
Dawnielle is so enthusiastic about the program, she’s referred her sister, her mother, and a friend’s grandmother.
“We both think it’s awesome,” shares Dawnielle. “It already looks nicer. It will bring up the value and be cooler in the summer, and warmer in the winter. We are so thankful. “
– Dawnielle, Habitat Home Repair
