Antonio's Family Story

When Antonio Botello dreams of improving his house, he envisions smooth siding, crisp white paint, and hunter green trim to match his garage. Last summer, when he contacted the East Side Neighborhood Development Company (ESNDC), they donated 18 gallons of white paint. This summer, through Twin Cities Habitat’s A Brush with Kindness volunteers, he’ll have all the help he needs to finish the job.

Antonio and his family have struggled to keep up with repairs on their home since a stroke left Antonio paralyzed on his left side. Although they all pitch in where they can, between finding new work and helping Antonio with his physical therapy regimen, it’s difficult for the family to find the time and energy for expensive home maintenance.

Still, Antonio is determined to restore his home. "When your home looks good, it feels good – and that shows what kind of person you are," he explains. In spite of his paralysis, Antonio has only doubled his efforts to improve his home. When Antonio is away at work, he wants his family to be able to look at their house and feel his presence.

From his time working in landscaping, Antonio knows how to keep a neighborhood looking beautiful. "Now I want to make my own grass and house look nice too, but I need money and time to do the work," he says. By reaching out for help to the ESNDC and ABWK, Antonio will have the resources to finally put his plans into action. "I’m low-income and disabled, but still I ask for things and they come true," he says, smiling.

"I like to be in charge, to be doing what needs to be done," he says. And even though it will be weeks before ABWK volunteers start their work on his home, Antonio is already out spreading fertilizer on his lawn, identifying problem areas, and planning for future projects.