Making Memories at Home

Cheryl has so many memories in the home she’s lived in for 50 years. Some of her favorites include raising her five children -- teaching them to cook, iron, play cards, and how to share and be respectful. Her favorite thing these days is having her whole family over to her home for Sunday dinner. But the home is starting to show it’s age. The windows are original from 1957. The caulking has peeled off and some of them aren’t functional. The roof is in disrepair and she needs handrails for her porch steps. She heard about WARM NC from a close friend who also used WARM’s services.

“I have so many memories here, which is why I was so happy and proud when I filled out the WARM application and was eligible,” Cheryl said. “I said my prayers but I didn’t think I was going to qualify.”

After knee surgery, Cheryl has trouble going up and down stairs and getting in and out of the shower. She now has new handrails so she can go up and down her porch steps without needing to ask for help. She has grab bars in the shower to prevent falls. And after 50 years in her home she finally has new windows!

Cheryl said the repairs have helped both her physical and mental health as she is more confident because she feels safe.

“I can already tell the difference with the temperature in my house from the heat but I am waiting for the cold so I can feel the warmth in my house. It has been 40 years and I have had to burn my fireplace and put towels in the gap of my windows to keep the cold out. With these new windows it is going to provide warmth within the house as well as beauty to the house.”

And that music you hear if you go by Cheryl’s house on a Sunday? Well, that’s Cheryl making more memories with family now that she is safe at home.