YOU Made 2024 Matter!
We know that HomeFront is just one part of your life. But, as this year ticks away, we just wanted to let you know how much you made 2024 matter for our most vulnerable neighbors. As you know, today’s HomeFront does not only fix up homes in the Spring. And, although we help families on the largest scale through our volunteer group projects in the Spring and Fall, today’s HomeFront also helps people on a year-round basis through our Critical Pro Repair (CPR) service. Before & Afters are often the most powerful way to show our impact, so, before the “ball drops,” we thought we would share two of the best we have to show for 2024.
"I Never Expected to Be on the Receiving End"
In 2024, HomeFront volunteers tackled the highest impact projects in many years. One of the ones that stands out among our Team Projects in 2024 is Barbara’s home in New Fairfield. Barbara is a single mom with five children from ages 6 to 17. Her youngest daughter has Down’s Syndrome. Conditions around her home had become overwhelming for her. Volunteers from St. Edward the Confessor pounced on her ambitious needs, putting in multiple days. Barbara and her children worked alongside the volunteers. By the end of it, Barbara had new cabinets and counter tops, siding repaired and painted, two drafty windows changed out, a new door, decking and stairs fixed, a new sink and tub and more.
Check out these Before and Afters.
Barbara's exterior before
St. Edwards volunteers in action
After
But, in our opinion, Barbara summed it up even better than the images:
“It was a humbling experience. Having participated in work camp for a few years back in my high school/college days, it was always so rewarding to know you were making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. I never expected to be on the receiving end.
To have so many people give their time and talents so freely to make our house a comfortable and safe place for me and my children was such a blessing. For my kids to be excited to invite people over instead of embarrassed, makes my heart happy. To be able to sit in our bright, warm, inviting kitchen and smile instead of cringe is huge.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank everyone responsible for making our house a safe and comfortable place that we can be proud of.”
Best Critical Pro Repair Before & Afters
Thanks to donations and skilled volunteers, we were able to answer urgent needs on a year-round basis through our Critical Pro Repair (CPR) service. Carlos is one of 15 families helped through CPR. His story stands out because our work directly made it possible for him to stay in his home. Carlos has spina bifida and became wheelchair- bound. His bathroom was no longer safe and he risked losing his housing subsidy unless it was fixed.
Our good friends at St. Edward the Confessor parish approached us to see if we could help Carlos through our CPR service. Their most skilled volunteers installed a wider shower and made other critical repairs. Carlos now has a safe, accessible bathroom, and he won’t lose his home. We wanted to share some of the moments of Carlos' life being changed for the better here.
Carlos' bath before.
St. Edwards CPR volunteers in action.
Carlos' new, safer shower.
Carlos next to his new bathroom.
Together, We Can Get A Positive Jump on 2025
For every family like Barbara & Carlos, HomeFront has nine more counting on us for help. Requests have come from older adults and persons with disabilities, as well as veterans, single-parent households and families in crisis due to illness or job loss. HomeFront's CPR service is ready to act. We thank those who have already generously supported our year-end campaign. This is the perfect time of year for a gift of any amount to help us to warm up more homes in need this winter and deliver health & safety improvements right in your backyard. As you know, HomeFront doubles the impact of every dollar donated through the volunteer labor, donated and discounted materials and every community kindness that we marshal.
We cannot wait to share with you the stories of struggling neighbors who got a major boost because of you. From their homes to yours we wish you all the blessings that matter in 2025!
