Mrs. Nelly Centurion is an 80-year-old widowed senior in the North Park Community of San Diego. Her husband passed away as a result of COVID-19 in 2023. They immigrated from Peru and chose San Diego because of it's similar climate. They started their small business, Latin American Travel & Services which suffered due to the pandemic as well. Mrs. Centurion is currently embroiled in a dispute between herself, Farmers Insurance, and several contractors since August of 2024. What started as a call for help to her insurer has resulted in a partially destroyed and unlivable home that she is still paying a mortgage on.

The contractors, without her approval and during a water emergency, had her sign documents in English only, with the purpose of only giving them permission to enter and to work with her insurers on the claim. She only speaks and reads Spanish. They moved in machines, sensors, and plastic to seal off the bathroom. When the claim was denied, the contractors packed up, allowing her to enter and see the portion of her home that was restricted due to potential health hazards. They then demanded about $15,000 for their "work." That work was: destroyed interior, missing and damaged belongings, water still under the home. When Mrs. Centurion tried to address this matter herself, she was dismissed as being confused. To make matters worse, the contractors, placed a lien on her home -- leaving her stuck. She is unable to initiate a reverse mortgage or take out a loan because of the lien. Her public benefits barely covers the essentials. ** Update Feb/26: the lien was removed. **

To add urgency to the situation, she lives at the home with other seniors in a co-op structure. Other senior citizens, on fixed incomes, rent a room to be able to live here The inside of the home is exposed to the outside. Two residents have recently contracted similar infections on their leg. Mrs. Centurion's mental and physical health is taking a toll. She now resides in a space inside the home that was not her original bedroom. She sleeps on a couch, with her dog, Danny. She had no children and her closest family is a niece in Texas.

**Feb/26** Community partners have come together to fix the flooring not in the bathroom**

I met Mrs. Centurion through some celestial intervention. I help her as she is my neighbor and no one should have to live in this situation and much less be taken advantage of in the way she has. I have helped her since she has very limited knowledge of the English language. Even though she has made requests from everyone she interacts with for Spanish communications or a speaker, she never gets it. I have helped her prepare her story in her hunt for a litigator. The CA Department of Insurance has concluded that she needs a lawyer. The California State License Board has closed the investigation pending documents from Farmers. Local legal nonprofits cannot help with litigation.

Mrs. Centurion is a fighter. When I met her, she had already reached out to everyone I had suggested, how could I stand by? She has taken meticulous notes of every interaction because she knows what is plain to see: a senior citizen dismissed because of their age and language. She is not going to let these companies commit a legal robbery of her home that she fought for with her late husband. Having fight may be enough for managing the day-to-day, but that does not cover the bills.

No dignity has been shown to her, but I believe that the San Diego and global village that we call home can pull together to help her. If you would like more information on how you can help, or want documentation on her specific needs, please reach out. She needs the help of you to fix her home to then allow tenants to rent so that she may pay off the mortgage. Stay safe and watch out for each other.

-C