“You guys are an answer to my prayers!”, exclaimed Obdulia, a client of Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley, when describing the impact of the work completed by Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley on her home.
Obdulia is a proud San Jose resident, having moved here over 35 years ago by herself to achieve the American Dream and to attend San Jose State University.
After quickly identifying a community where she felt safe and at home in East San Jose, Obdulia and her neighbors were given a unique opportunity to become homeowners through the former Guapa Housing Project. “Guapa”, meaning beautiful in Spanish, was a community-based program lead by the Guadalupe Church of San Jose and St. Patrick’s Church. The program brought together local neighbors, volunteers, and resources to build and develop quality, beautiful housing for neighbors in need from the ground up.
Like so many of us, the love Obdulia has for her neighborhood and for her home shines brightly. And she remembers the prosperous time during the building and development of her neighborhood under the Guapa Housing Project, fondly. It was a once- in- a- lifetime opportunity to own a home and to build life-long relationships in her community that would house her children and grandchildren still yet to come. A home that would keep her sheltered during times of economic uncertainty, and a home to keep her warm and dry through many storms.
As time passed, neighbors went on about living their lives, generations of community members came and went, and the houses alongside the community aged. Obdulia realized her once beautiful shining star of a home had fallen into a state of disrepair. And while she wanted nothing more but to bring her home back up to that shining standard, she found herself in a position without the resources or the ability to address its needs.
Thankfully, a neighbor recommended Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley’s home repair program, and Obdulia applied. Rebuilding Together repaired plumbing in her bathroom to bring restore running water to her shower. We converted her tub into a standing shower to bring her independence and safety while showering to address her recent mobility issues. On Rebuilding Day, volunteers from our local corporate partner, The Core Companies, worked seamlessly to provide Obdulia’s home with the long awaited and shining finishing touch of a new coat of paint.
Perhaps most importantly, Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley renewed Obdulia’s spirit of community and reciprocated showed her what she herself has lived a life showing others: That even while time passes and neighborhoods may change, there is a community of support for neighbors in need here in Silicon Valley, and she is not alone.
“There is some sadness that happens when things get run down. Then you guys show-up and make all that disappear.”
— Obdulia, East San Jose Client of Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley.
Like so many of us who are passionate about our community, Obdulia has been a volunteer, – helping build her own neighborhood from the ground up. She has been a community advocate, working with her community center to develop safer walkways for older adults. She has been a neighbor, a friend, a parent, and a grandparent. She has done all of this while living in and thriving in her home. And she, just like many of us, needed her community to lift her up when she fell on hard times.
Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley helps our neighbors in need stay safe in their homes. We improve the quality of life for the people we support and allow people to live freely and independently at home. And to continue to do this important work at no cost to our clients, we need your help.
- Independence Restored: Your donation provides vital home modifications, such as installing grab bars, ramps, and wider doorways, to empower older adults and people with disabilities to live independently and confidently.
- Homes Made Safe: Your support ensures that families don’t have to endure inclement weather creeping in through old windows or a damaged roof. We’re here to make homes dry, warm, secure, and safe.
- Honoring Our Heroes: Servicemembers who’ve sacrificed for our nation should not have to face the added burden of an inaccessible home. Your contribution helps provide older veterans and veterans with disabilities the mobility solutions they deserve.
This season of giving, will you join us in supporting our local neighbors in need like Obdulia?
If so, please visit our donation page to give a truly life-changing gift today. If you’d like to learn more about our work, please also visit www.rtsv.org and see your impact firsthand.
Thank you for your generosity and compassion today and every day!
At Rebuilding Together - Silicon Valley, we believe that everyone deserves to live in a safe and healthy home, so we help provide critical home repairs to over 600 clients per year, including to those who are aging in place. We rely on generous donations—like those on Giving Tuesday—to continue our essential work and the positive impact we have in these communities.
You can help us make a difference in these communities by donating to our cause today or you can learn more information about what your donations help us accomplish by watching Obdulia’s Story!
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