Antoinette has been a caretaker since she was a young teenager, aiding her mother, who was a care provider in their community. Antoinette’s role for her neighbors was especially important, as she would look after and tend to postpartum mothers and their babies.  
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As an adult, she went to nursing school and worked as a CNA while raising her children. After 8 years, she focused on becoming a registered nurse. She said that she was encouraged by the women she worked with to take the step for herself and her family. ​

And she did. After completing nursing school, she moved to Iowa, where she once again found a job as a CNA while settling her family into a new community. This time, however, she was doing it all as a single-parent preparing to take the NCLEX Exam.
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With her children getting older, she felt the financial and emotional burden of not having a permanent home more than ever. Their current apartment only has two bedrooms and one bathroom. Between herself and her kids, the space was too small. She was also concerned about the safety of the area and wanted her children to be able to do the small things like ride their bikes outside – so she contacted Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity and joined the waitlist.  ​

Through all of the changes and challenges she has faced, she said the support and encouragement from her family, friends, and coworkers has pushed her to pursue her goals and she passes that forward whenever she can. ​

Homeowner Nicole had known for years that her roof needed to be replaced. Living on a single, fixed income, repairs were just out of reach. Unable to afford the repair, it continued to deteriorate slowly.

When Nicole began experiencing critical roof failure, the situation quickly became more than a home repair, it became a threat to her ability to continue living safely in her home. As the roof continued to deteriorate, water began trickling into the house. Like a domino effect, the small leaks turned into water pouring through the roof. Interior damage worsened each day, and eventually the ceiling collapsed.

Like many homeowners facing large-scale repairs, she did what she could, setting aside a small amount of money each month and relying on temporary fixes, but those solutions could only go so far. Living in the home she worked so hard to maintain for more than a decade was becoming more difficult and stressful each day. Without a safe and stable home, Nicole had run out of options. 

“I was just hopeless. I was completely hopeless.” 

That’s when she was connected with Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity’s Helping Hands home repair program. 
Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity staff quickly assessed the home and determined that, while the structure remained sound, the roof needed to be completely replaced to prevent further damage and preserve the home. This kind of critical repair doesn’t just protect a house, it protects the health, safety, and stability of the person living inside. 

“The roof had been weighing on me so heavily, because at that point I was going to lose the house and I had no place to go, I had no family, so it was a very heavy burden.” 

Beyond the quality of the work, the project restored something just as important as the home: stability. With the roof replaced, the home is once again protected, preserving not only the structure, but Nicole’s ability to remain in the place she calls home. The impact was much more than a new roof.

“It didn’t just fix my roof. It changed my view about the world.” 

For homeowners like Nicole, Helping Hands is about more than addressing critical repairs. It’s about ensuring that financial barriers don’t force people out of their homes, and that safe, stable housing remains within reach. 

“It was an amazing experience. It wasn't just replacing my roof. It was so much, more. Rebuilding my hope in humanity, building my trust in people...it was incredibly empowering.” ​

HOW YOU CAN HELP
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Donate to support necessary home repairs for members of your community. 

Your Helping Hands donations help remove barriers to safe, decent shelter for those with insufficient income through critical home repairs, accessibility modifications, and emergency repairs and major appliance replacements (ERMAR). 
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Together, we build peace of mind.  

HOW YOU CAN HELP
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Donate to support necessary home repairs for members of your community. 

Donations to Helping Hands go to removing the barrier to safe, decent shelter for those with insufficient income through critical home repairs, accessibility modifications, and emergency repairs (ERMAR). 

Together, we build home again.

Last week, Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity’s Helping Hands home repair staff responded to an emergency repair (ERMAR) for a homeowner facing unsafe and unhealthy living conditions during sub-zero temperatures. These are the moments when our community’s support can make an incredible impact on our neighbors. Together, we build belonging.

The repair request came from a mobile homeowner who is an older adult living with disabilities. A November windstorm damaged the home, which is located near the northeast corner of the mobile home park, exposing it to the strongest winds in the area. During the storm, the wind lifted the home’s vinyl siding and tore off a 25-foot section with it.

Although the trailer was built in 2000, no sheathing was installed behind the siding. When the siding came off, the insulation was also damaged, leaving only drywall between the homeowner and the freezing temperatures.

At Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity, our mission goes beyond building new homes—we are equally committed to preserving the safety and independence of homeowners through our Helping Hands home repair program. Thanks to the incredible efforts of the Billie Townsend Women Build committee, we’re able to do both. 

In addition to raising funds for the construction of the Billie Townsend Women Build home, the Women Build committee generously raised additional support for a critical home repair project that will allow a homeowner to remain safely in his longtime residence. 

Homeowner Jonathan who has spina bifida and other health complications, has experienced growing challenges living alone, especially after the recent passing of his mother. The home, built in the early 1900s, has steep stairs, drafty doors, and other issues that pose serious safety concerns. 
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The primary concern is accessibility. The back entrance, currently the primary way in and out, includes three narrow steps without a grab bar or secure handrail. The sidewalk leading to the door is narrow, uneven, and slopes downward posing a fall risk. 

IVHFH’s Helping Hands staff plan to construct a wooden ramp that will provide safe, reliable access to the home. They will also replace the original front door, which no longer locks securely or keeps out the cold. Since Jonathan has relocated his bedroom to the front room on the main floor (due to difficulty accessing the second level), this drafty, deteriorated entryway has become a daily concern. A new, insulated door will reduce drafts while making the home secure. 
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This project is more than a repair--it’s a lifeline. Thanks to the generous donors who contributed to the Billie Townsend Women Build! With your support our neighbors like Jonathan can age in place, live with independence, and stay safely in their homes.

Do you or someone you know need help with home repairs? Contact Aaron at [email protected] or 319-337-8949. Learn more about the Helping Hands home repair program here.​

Written by Tami Bonnett, IVHFH Development Director
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A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit one of the homes we've been working on through our Helping Hands home repair program. Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity has been working to make this home more accessible for the homeowner, Rosenda, who has mobility challenges. We installed an accessibility ramp, a crucial modification to ensure she can safely enter and exit her home.

The project was nearing completion, and I wanted to gather photos and videos to document our work. That day, however, the weather was less than cooperative. It was a cold and windy Friday, with snowdrifts piling up along the county roads. I was driving through rural Iowa, and as I turned down a gravel road leading to the house, I couldn't help but notice just how isolated the location was. Open fields stretched, allowing the wind to blow snow across the roads, and there were no nearby neighbors in sight.

I parked and quickly got out of the car, feeling the cold wind burn my face and fingers. After taking a few photos of the ramp and shooting a couple of videos of the 60-foot ramp, the longest we've ever installed, I rushed back to the warmth of my car. As I drove back down the gravel road, the isolation of the area stayed with me. The home felt so far removed from any help, and I couldn't stop thinking about the homeowner. What would Rosenda do if she fell outside? How long would it take for someone to come to her aid? It was a stark reminder of how geographically isolated some rural homeowners are and how vulnerable they can be, especially in the winter when cold temperatures and harsh winds can quickly turn a simple fall into a life-threatening situation.

While that Friday had been cold, temperatures plunged below zero the following Monday and Tuesday, with wind chills nearing negative 20°F. I couldn't stop thinking about Rosenda, imagining her outside in such extreme cold—perhaps trying to retrieve something from her car or check her mailbox. In those frigid conditions, I realized that if she were to fall and couldn't get up, she might not survive more than an hour before the cold took its toll.

The reality of how essential our home repairs are genuinely hit me. I don't think I'd ever connected someone's living situation to a life-or-death scenario in such a direct way. It was a crucial moment of reflection for me and one that I wanted to share with our staff at our Tuesday staff meeting. I shared my reflections to remind everyone of the life-saving nature of our work. I also wanted to thank the Helping Hands crew, who work through extreme weather to complete these essential projects.

In our discussion, our Helping Hands Director, Aaron Kiesey, shared that the hypothetical scenario I had been thinking about—Rosenda falling and unable to get up—had already happened. Aaron explained that she had undergone knee replacement surgery and was in the middle of physical therapy and rehabilitation. Rosenda had transportation to her appointments, but on one occasion, her ride dropped her off and left before she could get back into the house. She fell in the driveway, injuring her knee further, and couldn't get up. Thankfully, Rosenda’s son, who works during the day, had decided to check on her during his lunch break. Though her injury was severe, that unexpected visit saved her from even more serious harm. She was hospitalized and is now residing in a rehabilitation center. The accessibility ramp, the final step of the project, will allow Rosenda to safely return home.
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This situation is a powerful reminder of why our work is so vital. These services are urgent, especially in rural areas, and even one modification can make a life-changing difference.

Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity was first approached by the adult children of a homeowner expressing concerns for their 83-year-old mother who lives alone in the house where she has lived her entire life. What makes this particular Helping Hands home repair request unique is that the homeowner lives on a century farm that has been in the same family for 150 years; while many small century farms are disappearing, the homeowner’s daughter told IVHFH, “… [I]t is my mom’s dream to keep the farm and the rich tradition alive that growing up on a family farm instills in family members that are impacted by family farming.”

Realizing this dream on their own comes with several barriers: the old home was not designed for aging-in-place and lacks any accessibility features, and utilizing a walker in an inaccessible home has become increasingly dangerous. Worse yet, the homeowner cannot afford the repairs as she lives solely on a fixed social security income. The family even considered the worst-case scenario—selling the family home and farm to afford housing at a care facility. Facing these impossible choices, the family decided to reach out to Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity and their Helping Hands home repair program.

IVHFH was determined to help the homeowner afford the repairs and modifications necessary to continue living safely at home. As staff considered the funding needed to cover the cost of this project, they turned to a long-term partner, Oaknoll Retirement Residence. Oaknoll staff enthusiastically agreed to support IVHFH’s Helping Hands program because of its emphasis on aging-in-place work. Oaknoll’s Chief Executive Officer, Steve Roe says, “Oaknoll has supported Habitat for Humanity for many years. Helping our residents create home is what we do at Oaknoll. It has been important for us to share our resources in a way that supports others in our community to have quality, affordable housing—whether that be supporting a new Habitat build, or this year partnering with the Helping Hands project that will allow the owner to live more safely in her home.”

With funding in place, IVHFH quickly got to work aiming to first address the homeowner’s most critical safety and accessibility needs.

Problem (Home Entrance): No entrance to the home could be accessed without encountering steps, making the simple act of entering and exiting a perilous task. The entrance most frequently used by the homeowner opened onto a poured concrete patio space with two steps down to a sidewalk leading to the driveway. Adding to safety concerns, there were no handrails on the patio or leading down the steps.

Helping Hands Solution: IVHFH constructed an accessibility ramp equipped with handrails leading from the sidewalk onto the concrete patio.

With the repairs complete, IVHFH staff recently followed up with one of the homeowner’s daughters who told IVHFH, “[My mom] ... loves it. She tells everyone that comes over, ‘You gotta see my new bathroom.’ And now she's zipping up and down that ramp like no other.” She agreed the repairs were not only critical for her mom’s safety and ability to stay on the farm that means so much to their entire family, but the repairs have eased the stress and lifted the concerns she and her sister had for their mother. She explained, “Our intent is to keep her here; this is where she wants to die, and I will do everything possible to make that happen.” The family is now one big step closer to honoring their mother’s wishes and giving her many more safe and happy years living on a farm that holds a lifetime of memories.

Earlier this year, we completed a critical home repair for David in Iowa City. Originally, David reached out to IVHFH with concerns of a roof leak. At 76 years old and living on a fixed income, he was unable to undertake the project independently and lacked the financial means to hire someone to complete the repair. When Helping Hands staff visited for an initial house evaluation they quickly recognized the home was in dire shape and would require more comprehensive repairs to keep David living safely in his home.

Problem: The metal roofing was severely deteriorated with rusted-through holes and burst seams on several large sections of the roof. We determined the roofing material was irreparable and the entire roof would need replaced. As a result of the roof condition, leaking water caused extensive damage to the ceiling; soaked insulation resulted in a sagging ceiling and mold growth in the kitchen and living room. Additionally, the water had weakened the trailer floor, causing David to fall through in several locations. It was clear to IVHFH staff that the roof leak was threatening the structural viability of the home and David’s safety. In order to keep him safe and secure, it was imperative to carry out repairs to the roof, the ceiling, and the flooring of the home.

What is Women Build Week (WBW)?
IVHFH 2023 Women Build Week is a special kickoff of the Mary Mascher Women Build taking place April 23-29.

WBW EVENTS:
Volunteer Day - April 27, 8 AM-5 PM
Volunteers will help lay sod and complete related tasks at the 2022 Women Build home located at 780 Barber Place in Iowa City. Sign up to volunteer!

Frame Decorating Party - EVENT CANCELLED
This event was originally scheduled to take place at the Habitat Warehouse which was destroyed by a tornado on March 31. You can still participate! Decorate a 2'x4' framing board (stud) for the Women Build home. We ask participants to consider a donation to benefit the Mary Mascher Women Build. Pick up a stud from the Habitat office Monday-Friday 9 AM-4 PM, decorate it, and return it to IVHFH by April 21. Your board will be displayed at our Groundbreaking Ceremony AND you will be invited to our Frame Finder event this fall to see where your stud was placed in the structure of the home. Click here to donate and register. You can also email [email protected] to reserve your 2'x4' and/or register for the Frame-A-Thon and donations can be mailed to IVHFH | 2401 Scott Blvd. SE | Iowa City | IA | 52240.

Women Build Groundbreaking Ceremony - April 29, 10 AM at 2637 Blazing Star Drive, Iowa City
Join the Women Build committee and future homeowners, Etienne and Romance and their children Kenaya, Kevin, Ketan, and Kellian, as we break ground at the site of the 13th Women Build home.

STAY TUNED! We are working on many details of the Mary Mascher Build so check back for more exciting details SOON! If you would like to receive updates and announcements about Women Build, send a message to [email protected].

About the Mary Mascher Women Build
Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity's 13th Women Build project is in honor of Mary Mascher! Mary served as an Iowa State Representative for 14 terms and taught in the Iowa City Community School District for 33 years. Mary has served the Habitat mission for decades, frequently hitting the build sites with The University Club group, Women with Hammers. Mary joins a group of 13 women in the Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity community honored for their achievements, their leadership, and their service to our neighbors.

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Our Goal
The Women Build committee is working together to raise $55,000 in local contributions and recruit volunteers to build an energy-efficient home that will be purchased by a family in need of affordable homeownership. $5,000 will be used to make affordable repairs and/or accessibility modifications for an existing homeowner. Make a donation today to help us reach our fundraising goal!

History of IVHFH Women Build
The first Iowa Valley Habitat Women Build was completed by a committee of volunteers in 2005, the second Women Build was also completed by a committee of volunteers in 2007, but the affiliate did not commit to making the Women Build an annual project until 2011. Since then, it has become a tradition for IVHFH to name each Women Build in honor of an influential woman in the community.

2011-2022 IVHFH Women Build Honorees include: Dottie Ray, Jackie Blank, Jane McCune, Dr. Christine Grant, Jean Lloyd-Jones, Mary Palmberg, Pat Heiden, Kazi Alward, Jan Down, Katie Lammers, Doris Preucil, and Jane Hagedorn.

In the nearly two years since introducing the Emergency Repair and Major Appliance Replacement (ERMAR) program, there has been no shortage of households who are in need of the service. ERMAR allows us to serve some of the lowest-income members of our community, swiftly addressing emergent issues that would otherwise render a home unlivable. We are excited to announce that Edith Jones has transitioned into the position of ERMAR Program Manager. We are so grateful to be able to continue growing this program.

​Prior to accepting the ERMAR position Edith was a ReStore associate, but her history with IVHFH goes back even further. Edith previously served with us as an AmeriCorps service member, working with the construction crew for an entire year. She is also fluent in Spanish, frequently facilitating communication with those we serve. Edith’s diverse skill set, coupled with her passion for lifting up everyone around her, will no doubt serve her very well in this new role. We can’t wait to watch ERMAR continue to develop.