Brothers Redevelopment Blog - Brothers Redevelopment

There’s something special about volunteering for a cause in your own neighborhood that’s larger than yourself.

It gives you a sense of accomplishment, joy, and pride in that you’re working to make your community a better place. That’s how Commerce City employees felt when they volunteered for Brothers Redevelopment’s Paint-A-Thon Program — a service that utilizes volunteers to paint home exteriors for low-income and disabled senior homeowners.

“I think that we specifically feel proud, especially since we’re serving our community members and we’re helping out our neighbors,” said Commerce City Community Relations Liaison Daniela Villarreal, who volunteered for a Paint-A-Thon project in Commerce City this past weekend.

“But then also, I just think it’s awesome. I heard several volunteers reflecting toward the end of the event and seeing all the hard work we did and just how amazing the house looked,” she added. “I think it’s a huge accomplishment for myself and everybody there just to see everything at the end that we were able to do together.”

Commerce City employees, board, commission, and City Council members teamed up on Aug. 28 to paint the exterior of Lettie Miller’s Commerce City house. The city’s Quality Community Foundation — which provides grants to fund nonprofits that benefit Commerce City residents — sponsors the Paint-A-Thon.

Members of city council and boards & commissions recently volunteered their time to help paint a resident’s home as part of the CDBG-funded Paint-A-Thon program from @Bros_Redevelop.

Learn more at https://t.co/2smU0kExaU.

Video en Español: https://t.co/E4PzLKvLOB pic.twitter.com/z8MKibb4Sg

— Commerce City, CO (@CommerceCityCO) September 3, 2021

So far this year, Brothers has completed more than 75 Paint-A-Thon projects throughout the metro area and in Colorado Springs.

“I thank God every day that there are people like this who can help people like me who can’t do the job anymore. It wouldn’t get painted otherwise, I couldn’t do it,” said Miller. “The program they have is just amazing, absolutely amazing. It is a God send.”

Arthur Saiz’s decorated career in the United States Army included time providing communications support and training during the Korean War, Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm until he retired in 1993 after 36 years of service.

Saiz was stationed at Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City, Utah and at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal in his hometown of Commerce City where he trained around 2,000 soldiers on infantry equipment and communications. Today, the award-winning Veteran enjoys paying homage to his Native American roots by creating and selling jewelry and art. But even though the 83-year-old lives independently, he admits he needs help.

“When I was young, I never depended on anybody. I did plumbing, electrical work, built my shed,” said Saiz. “I like to do a lot of stuff, but I get tired — even when I clean and do work around the house.”

Saiz survives off his military pension and has wanted to expand and update his bathroom for years but couldn’t afford to do so until he learned of Brothers Redevelopment and its Home Modification and Repair Program (HMR).

This past summer, Brothers saved Saiz nearly $8,000 by performing bathroom modifications in his house that will help him continue to live independently and stay in his home. Saiz received plumbing services, grab bars in his shower, an entire new bathroom floor, new wall tile, an ADA toilet, a new vanity countertop and sink combo and much more through HMR. Brothers’ Paint-A-Thon Program also painted Saiz’s house and provided yard work services through volunteers from ANB Bank.

The HMR Program has operated in Commerce City since 2019 and has provided 71 households with home modifications and repairs that are aimed at keeping people in their homes. Commerce City’s Quality Community Foundation, which provides grants to fund various nonprofits that benefit Commerce City residents, is also a sponsor for the 2021 Paint-A-Thon season.

“I’ve lived in this home for 24 years, and I didn’t want to leave and deal with a landlord,” said Saiz. “I felt real happy when Brothers did all this work for me.”

Throughout his life, Brothers Redevelopment Founder Don Schierling spent many summers driving around the metro area ensuring that Paint-A-Thon projects were going smoothly.

So, it was only right that a day ahead of his memorial service — an event that was delayed five months after his death because of the pandemic — that his family and friends volunteered for their own Paint-A-Thon project.

Dressed in purple Paint-A-Thon shirts to honor Alzheimer’s victims like Schierling and his wife Elvira, Schierling’s loved ones gathered for a day of service to paint the exterior of Dorothy Jokumnsen’s Westminster home and to do yard work in July. The project was one of 84 houses the Paint-A-Thon Program has painted as of Sept. 16.

“Don and Elvira’s legacy of service was alive and well during our Paint-A-Thon project. You could feel them smiling from above as we worked together painting and sprucing up the yard,” said Evon Holiday, a family friend of the Schierling’s. “It was such a fitting way to celebrate their lives and Don’s dedication to Brothers Redevelopment.”

Schierling passed away in February at the age of 86, 50 years after him, Richard Magnus, Joe Giron and Manny Martinez established Brothers Redevelopment. He spent more than 40 years serving as a board member for the organization and was recognized for model Christian stewardship through the 2020 National Journey Award presented by faith based financial services organization Everence.

Outside of his work serving the region’s low-income residents and seniors through Brothers, Schierling taught at Regis University Business School, built houses in areas of Germany that were impacted by World War II and held a role with International Development Enterprises — a nonprofit that encourages self-sufficiency in Africa, Asia and Central America.

The Schierling family also donated a wheelchair lift to Brothers earlier this summer that was used by Schierling and Elvira. The item will be donated to a client in need and installed for them at no charge by Brothers’ Home Modification and Repair Program.

“It felt good, and it felt right to do the Paint-A-Thon in memory of mom and dad,” said Sonja Schierling, the daughter of Schierling and Elvira. “Giving back to others is who they were and what they taught all of those who knew them. It was a perfect way to honor them, especially the weekend of their celebration of life.”

The phonelines are ringing at Colorado Housing Connects (1-844-926-6632) in light of the end of the federal eviction moratorium.

Since the Supreme Court rejected the Biden administration’s moratorium on evictions last Thursday, Colorado Housing Connects has seen a 55% increase in inquiries. On Monday, the housing helpline received 241 inquiries alone.

That number marks the most inquiries Colorado Housing Connects has seen since March 17, 2020 — a day after Gov. Jared Polis ordered Colorado bars and restaurants to close. That day, 229 inquiries were submitted to the housing helpline.

“So much has changed since March 2020, but the severity of the need hasn’t receded. The demand for housing answers is as urgent today as it has been since COVID-19 first hit,” said Colorado Housing Connects Manager Patrick Noonan.

Colorado Housing Connects has been an important asset for Coloradans throughout the pandemic as more than 59,452 inquiries for housing help have been submitted to the housing helpline. It assists landlords, renters and homeowners by connecting residents to local resources like rental/mortgage assistance, legal assistance, HUD-approved housing counselors and more.

During the COVID-19 crisis, Brothers Redevelopment has also been working tirelessly to administer funds for multiple rental assistance programs.

At an Aug. 30 Denver City Council meeting, Council elected to award Brothers an additional $3 million to distribute through the city’s Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance Program — a financial resource available to Denverites. Brothers also administers funds for the statewide Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

Tenants who are behind on rent are encouraged to contact Colorado Housing Connects, apply for rental assistance, pay as much as they can toward their rent and to proactively communicate with their landlord.

Life quickly changed for Parker resident Jessica Hopf in fall of 2020 when her 21-year-old son died unexpectedly.

While she was mourning the loss of her only child, tragedy struck Hopf again when she lost her job in the middle of an economic crisis that the coronavirus pandemic caused. Facing eviction, Hopf researched resources that could keep her in her home when she stumbled across Brothers Redevelopment’s housing helpline, Colorado Housing Connects (1-844-926-6632).

After calling Colorado Housing Connects, helpline navigators connected Hopf to legal services that kept her in her home until she was able to obtain rental assistance through Douglas County and Colorado’s Emergency Housing Assistance Program — a financial resource that Brothers Redevelopment administered funds for.

“It kept me from being in the street. I don’t know what would’ve happened if I lost my housing,” said Hopf. “I was literally drowning in bills and facing homelessness. It saved my life.”

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, thousands of Coloradans in crisis like Hopf have called Colorado Housing Connects to access crucial resources like financial assistance for rent and mortgages, legal assistance, government certified housing counselors and more.

Colorado Housing Connects is operated in partnership with the state and offers counseling services for renters looking to become homeowners, tenant and landlord laws and rights, eviction advice, mortgage payment issues and more. Residents can also call the helpline to learn about programs offered by Brothers Redevelopment like its affordable communities, Home Modification and Repair Program, which repairs and rehabilitates homes for disabled and elderly homeowners, Landlords Opening Doors Program, a program that helps residents in transition recovering from health issues and leaving rehabilitation to find housing, and other Brothers Redevelopment services.

“(Colorado Housing Connects) is really on top of things, and they can get you the resources you need. I hope this gets out to somebody who needs help,” said Hopf. “There are so many people that are really suffering right now, and if they use Colorado Housing Connects — their staff is just so caring and giving.”

HUD-Homeownership-Center-B.-Rodriguez-June-18-2021-Denver-80219-16-1200x900.jpg

Barbara Rodriguez knew she couldn’t afford to pay for her Denver house to be updated with a new paint job.

The 93-year-old’s income comes from Social Security. She also suffers from severe osteoporosis — a disease that causes bones to become weak and brittle — and has spinal problems that makes it difficult for her to stand straight.

Rodriguez has struggled to maintain her home since her husband passed away, she said. Her house hadn’t been painted in 10 years, and the paint was discolored and chipping.

But after getting in touch with Brothers Redevelopment’s Paint-A-Thon Program, Rodriguez finally received the home improvements she had long dreamed for. In June, volunteers transformed her home by spending hot summer days painting and updating the house with fresh blue paint.

“I walked out, looked back and just wept because it was so beautiful,” Rodriguez said about the first time she saw her newly painted house. “I had no idea it would be so beautiful. It’s quite a difference. I just loved it.”

Earlier this summer, volunteers from our Paint-A-Thon Program painted the exterior of 93-year-old Barbara Rodriguez’s house.

Volunteers caught her reaction when she first saw the updated home improvements. These reactions are priceless and warm our hearts.

Check it out! pic.twitter.com/uHgH9jON5B

— Brothers Redevelopment (@Bros_Redevelop) August 6, 2021

The Paint-A-Thon Program has assisted thousands of clients like Rodriguez over its 43-year history. The program operates throughout the metro area/Colorado Springs and involves volunteers painting the exterior of low-income or disabled seniors’ homes for free.

Rodriguez said the volunteers who painted her house were enthusiastic and cheerful. And because of those reasons, it made her Paint-A-Thon experience that much more meaningful to her.

“You can’t say enough about how grateful I am and how blessed I felt. There aren’t enough words,” Rodriguez said. “These (volunteers) just kept right at it and worked tirelessly.”

Qualifying residents can apply for the program by calling 720-339-5864 or by emailing chad@brothersredevelopment.org. Paint-A-Thon clients must be 60 years or older and/or have a disability, must own and reside in the Denver metro area and plan to live in their home for at least 12 months.

Westminster City Council has approved a 2021 annual action plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds that will support Brothers Redevelopment’s Home Modification and Repair Program (HMR) in the city.

The plan — which will provide the city’s Emergency and Essential Home Repair Program with an additional $40,000 in funds — was approved at a July 26 Westminster City Council meeting. HMR administers funds on behalf of Westminster’s Emergency and Essential Home Repair Program. The funding will allow Brothers Redevelopment to continue to provide low-income senior homeowners with free crucial home repairs and modifications.

HMR Manager Jason McCullough addressed Westminster City Council during a public comment period ahead of the plan’s approval.

“We have a saying with Brothers Redevelopment. ‘We help those that no one else can help.’ With these funds, with the city, you are allowing us to do this work and continue to help people age in place in Westminster,” McCullough said to Westminster City Council.

The HMR Program has operated in Westminster since February 2020. Last year, the program provided nine Westminster residents with home repairs and modifications like wheelchair ramps, bathroom expansions, grab bars and more.

Brothers Redevelopment owns an affordable community in Westminster and has painted the exterior of two homes in the city for low-income and disabled residents this year through its Paint-A-Thon Program.

Qualifying Westminster residents can apply for the HMR Program by dialing 303-202-6340 or 1-844-926-6632.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on June 24 that it is extending its federal eviction moratorium until July 31.

The extension further prevents the eviction of tenants who are unable to make rental payments. The Associated Press reported that the CDC will not extend the moratorium again after July 31. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey estimates that as of June 7, around 3.2 million people in the country said they faced eviction in the next two months.

In light of the eviction moratorium being extended, Colorado Housing Connects (1-844-926-6632) Manager Patrick Noonan offered tips for tenants who are currently behind on their rental payments.

Here are Noonan’s tips:

Contact Colorado Housing Connects

There are a number of things a tenant can do to catch up on rent and protect themselves against eviction. This information changes regularly so one of the best things you can do is speak to an eviction prevention expert at Colorado Housing Connects. You can submit an inquiry through our website or call 1-844-926-6632 for more information.

Apply for Rental Assistance

If you need help catching up on rent due to a financial hardship related to the COVID-19 pandemic, you can apply for rental assistance through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Denver residents can apply for the city’s Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance Program and email the application to BRITRUA@brothersredevelopment.org.

Pay as much as you can toward the rent

One requirement for renters seeking legal protections from eviction is to pay as much as they can toward the rent. Every little bit helps and can make it easier to catch up on the rent down the road.

Provide your landlord with a CDC eviction moratorium declaration form

If you had a financial hardship related to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for some eviction protections under the CDC Eviction Moratorium. If you are eligible, you have to take action to protect yourself by providing your landlord with a copy of the declaration paperwork.

Proactively communicate with your landlord

Many landlords are willing to work with tenants who are behind on rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important that you let your landlord know you are applying for rental assistance and doing everything that you can to pay the rent.

Seek other assistance to help you stay afloat

There is help available for food, medical needs, utility assistance, employment assistance, and more. Seeking help with life’s other needs can give you more breathing room when it comes to your budget. To learn what resources might help, contact Colorado Housing Connects to learn more.

Around seven years ago, the Schierling family woke up to a shocking and horrifying situation when Elvira Schierling — the wife of Brothers Redevelopment founder Don Schierling — suddenly forgot how to walk.

“She had dementia. She literally woke up one morning and was doing this side shuffle,” said Sonja Schierling, Don and Elvira’s daughter. “I was like okay, what’s going on?”

The Schierling house is two stories tall, and Elvira wouldn’t have had a way to enter the home until the family purchased a wheelchair lift that her and Don used until their last days. When Don passed in February, the lift sat unused at the house. But just like the Schierling’s have done for decades, they thought of others in need and Brothers Redevelopment while the lift was unused.

The Schierling family donated the lift to Brothers Redevelopment’s Home Modification and Repair Program who will give the item to a client in need and install it for them at no charge. The program serves seniors across the Front Range by providing free, high quality home safety related repairs and mobility/accessibility modifications.

On June 15, employees from the program went to the Schierling house to pick up the lift that will be stored until it can be placed and installed.

“We are humbled and honored to have been approached by the Schierling family as the recipient of such a generous and impactful donation. This Vertical Platform Lift that allowed our late founder Don Schierling and his late wife to access their home with safety and independence will now go to another household in need,” said Home Modification and Repair Program Manager Jason McCullough.

“This will allow someone who is at this moment wrestling with limited or declining mobility the freedom of access to and from their home with ease and comfort. We will use this donation to further the mission of Brothers Redevelopment and continue the good work Don was so passionate about throughout his lifetime of service,” he added.

Earlier this year, the Schierling family also donated a vehicle that is being used by Brothers Redevelopment’s Paint-A-Thon Program — a longstanding free service that sees volunteers paint the outside of homes for senior and disabled homeowners.

“These donations would’ve made (Don) so happy and proud. This is what dad wanted — anything to help Brothers,” said Sonja.

Life hasn’t necessarily been easy for 72-year-old Linda Marquez the past four years.

The Lakewood resident lost her son Marcus in 2017 after he passed away due to a long battle with a brain tumor — leaving behind his now three-year-old son Atticus. Atticus’s mother wanted him to stay with Marquez because of complicated issues, and when she was faced with the challenge to raise her grandson, Marquez stood up.

For the past four years, Marquez has raised Atticus alone and plans to continue doing so until she is no longer physically able to. She said he is a friendly, smart boy who recently finished his first year of preschool.

“My Atticus is my life saver, because if I didn’t have him, I would be alone. He keeps me moving,” said Marquez. “I decided when my son died, I wouldn’t let anybody take him away from me. I can’t do my yard work or paint my beautiful house now — but I can take care of him day by day.”

Thanks to Brothers Redevelopment’s Paint-A-Thon Program — a free service where volunteers paint the outside of homes for low-income and disabled seniors — Marquez doesn’t have to worry about painting her house anymore.

Paint-A-Thon volunteers from Pinkard Construction, a construction company based in Lakewood, were at Marquez’s house on June 11 to update it with a new paint job that she has long dreamed for.

“It looks beautiful,” said Marquez, who noted that she never liked the color of her house before until it was recently painted. “It looks lighter, cleaner, and I don’t have all those chips and spots anymore. I’m grateful because I don’t know how I would’ve ever done this.”

2021 marks the second year Pinkard Construction has volunteered for the Paint-A-Thon. Christine Fuentes, a Pinkard Construction employee who volunteered to paint Marquez’s house, said the company gives its employees three paid days to volunteer for different causes.

“What’s nice about working with Brothers is they make it easy for the company because they provide all the information, they communicate with you, they help you decide what project would be good for the number of volunteers you have, they provide the material — everything that needs to be done to do a project like this. It makes it easy for us to promote it to our employees and to get the job done,” said Fuentes. “It’s kind of a turn the key thing.

Commerce City volunteers for Paint-A-Thon Program

Award winning U.S. Army Veteran receives updated housing services from Brothers Redevelopment

Schierling family volunteers for Paint-A-Thon in honor of Brothers Redevelopment founder

Inquiries flood into Colorado Housing Connects as eviction moratorium ends

“It kept me from being in the street.”

Paint-A-Thon client brought to tears after seeing freshly painted home

HMR receives additional funding from Westminster

Struggling with rent? Here is what you need to know

Schierling family donates wheelchair lift to Brothers

Paint-A-Thon leaves its mark in Lakewood