Home repair services vital to local family's well-being

Living in a safe, clean home has always been a dream for Xe Xiong and her husband Yeng.  They spent years living in public housing before they were able to purchase a home large enough to house their growing family – that was 13 years ago. 

Today the family lives in the home with their two teenage daughters and looks forward to their older children visiting. Unfortunately, time has taken a toll on the home and it was in need of many repairs. Yeng became disabled four years ago and fixing things in the home could not be an immediate priority for the family. After her husband became disabled, Xe Xiong and her daughters did not have the strength or knowledge to make all of the necessary repairs to the home. 

A friend of the family referred them to A Brush with Kindness in 2011 and we were able to assist the family.  The family was very happy to learn that they were chosen to receive home repair services and could not believe their luck. 

This project was a Critical Home Repair project. A Brush with Kindness staff and volunteers remodeled a bathroom, replaced windows, remodeled the kitchen, put in new flooring and installed appliances, as well as painting the ceilings and walls. Yeng’s health is a deep concern for the family and they are so happy to have the new accessibility the repairs have given them. 

“My dad will now be able to access the bathroom and kitchen. Before the repairs it was a big struggle,” said their daughter Mila.  The family said they appreciated the kindness the volunteers showed them and added that the work completed on their home gives them hope for the future. Once the repairs are complete, they hope to continue hosting family holidays and to keep the home in the family for years to come.  For the family, having the security of a safe home has put a smile on their faces and has been a big relief for everyone.  

Sam Maki, ABWK Family Resource Assistant Intern, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity