The Ortiz Family’s Story
Nonprofit Partner: Avenue CDC
Houston, Texas
San Juanita and Pete Ortiz have lived in their home on Dorchester Street in the Northline area of Houston for 20 years. Mr. and Mrs. Ortiz both have disabilities which impair their mobility. Negotiating the steps to the entrance of their home had become increasingly difficult over time, and they were rarely able to leave the house.
up hope for their home. Then in 2015, an Avenue CDC outreach volunteer stopped by and gave them a flyer about Rebuilding Northside Together (RNT), a free home repair program for low-income residents in Houston’s Greater Northside organized by Avenue CDC.
critical systems repairs. In the Ortiz’s home, the flooring was replaced, damaged siding was repaired, and a new access ramp was built for the front door.
In the meantime, Avenue CDC worked to recruit volunteers to help with repairs, clean up, and repainting of the Ortiz’s home and 14 others homes in similar condition in the Greater Northside neighborhood.The Ortiz’s home was served by an energetic crew from the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) Black Student Association. The students cleared debris from the Ortiz’s yard, scraped old paint from the home, caulked, and gave the house a new coat of bright yellow paint with red accents, colors chosen by Mrs. Ortiz.
Mr. and Mrs. Ortiz were very pleased with the results. “It feels so good now that people pass by and say how good my house looks,” Mrs. Ortiz said. “I’m just so thankful that you guys chose me. It has completely changed my life.”
Charlee’s Story
Nonprofit Partner: My Father’s House Lubbock
Lubbock, Texas
Charlee Ross and her son Jonathan first came to My Father's House Lubbock’s (MFHL) supportive housing program in January 2015. They were from a rural area about 100 miles east and although the distance made it difficult for Charlee to complete the application paperwork, she never considered giving up.
Charlee kept in contact with MFHL staff and waited until there was an opening in the program, which provides single parents with a clean, safe apartment while they complete their schooling. Once they moved in, she immediately took advantage of all the support services that MFHL had to offer.
Thanks to a grant from the Texas Foundations Fund, MFHL was able to provide Charlee with case management and other services to help her enroll in school and take other steps towards financial independence.
With support from MFHL coupled with hard work and dedication, Charlee recently graduated from South Plains College with her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Development. She will continue her education at Texas Tech this summer. She is independent, has a caring and compassionate heart, and loves kids, cooking, and mission trips. MFHL has showed Charlee how to follow her dreams, and we can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next.
Tuesday, November 29th is #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that takes place on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. All funds raised by TSAHC on #GivingTuesday will directly support the Texas Foundations Fund. By making a donation this #GivingTuesday, you can help deserving families like San Juanita and Pete Ortiz and Charlee and Jonathan Ross overcome challenges and improve their lives.
Click here to learn more about how to support the Texas Foundations Fund. Want to make your donation now? There's no need to wait until November 29th. Click here to go directly to TSAHC's online donation page.
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Great to hear stories like these from which the program has been of help to them.