Prior to moving to Colorado from California, Josephine was asked to be a foster parent to a pair of sisters before she took legal guardianship over them as a single parent.
The sisters currently live with Josephine along with her granddaughter at her Thornton home. She says her resources are very limited and because of that, repairing her home’s damaged roof was financially impossible.
“I bought the house as is, and it was cheaper to buy than rent. So, I kind of got stuck with a house that needs a lot of work that wasn’t disclosed on the sale,” said Josephine. “I am now in a bind for repairs.”
Fortunately for Josephine, she learned of the Thornton Help for Homes Program — a longstanding service that allows Brothers Redevelopment’s Home Modification and Repair Program, in partnership with the City of Thornton, to provide home safety, deferred maintenance and accessibility for residents in need. And through the program, Josephine’s damaged roof received much needed, free repairs toward the end of October.
The previous roof had been altered during a past remodel or attempted remodel and was not code compliant in structural integrity. It was starting to cave in from inside and was damaged on the exterior from age and weather. The roof was also missing many tiles and the gutters were detached or missing.
Josephine said her roof repairs made a huge difference — and without Brothers and the City of Thornton, she wouldn’t have had any other way of making the repairs.
“My stress was literally through the roof. My health was declining, I was losing my hair, and it was worrisome with the fires that were happening and the Fourth of July,” said Josephine. “Since it’s been repaired, it’s taken a huge amount of stress off my shoulders.”
Outside of the roof repair, Brothers staff installed adhesive weather stripping on all exterior door surrounds and caulked all window surrounds to improve the overall heat seal for the home.
Eligible Thornton residents interested in the program can apply for it here. To contact the Home Modification and Repair Program, dial 303-685-4225 or email HMR@brothersredevelopment.org.
“I can’t explain how easy this process was and how grateful I am on behalf of my children and myself. It’s a God send,” said Josephine. “(Brothers) found resources and got this approved. I’m eternally grateful.”