Assistance with Widow's House Repairs

I, Gladys Hicks, am a 78 year old barren true widow. Upon my husband’s death in 1999, I was unable to afford our bills, so I sold our home. In 2001, I retired and moved from Maryland to Florida. My baby sister, a single parent, died in 2001, leaving two daughters aged 15 and 19. In 2003, I got my 13-year-old great-nephew. I kept them until the two girls graduated, then got jobs, and went on their own. In addition, I kept my great-nephew until he was 17, at which time he was arrested and has been sentenced to mandatory life in prison.

In September 2008 and October 2009, one of my nieces, daughter of my deceased baby sister, gave birth to two precious little boys, and I raised those two little boys until they were 9 and 10 years old on a low income. Fortunately, a very kind-hearted landlord who was also a realtor, allowed me and the boys to live in one of his homes rent-free beginningin 2011. I promised him that I would take care of his home, other than the roof and air conditioning.

Beginningin 2020, the boys’ mother took them in 2018, and I began paying $500 for rent. Because of my low income, my church pays my utility bill and my car insurance so that I can pay the rent. Fourteen years later, there are repairs that are needed, and they are:

Driveway: Severely breaking after an oak tree that was taken down by a hurricane, and eventually the roots died causing the driveway to sink.

Walkway: Because the fallen tree and the roots died, it causes the walkway to break up, and one plank is not balanced, which could cause someone to trip and fall.

Deck: It needs restoring, like loose boards, and mainly it needs cleaning and staining.

Flooring: The dining room floor has vinyl covering and it is badly torn in several places.

Bathrooms: Both toilets need to be repaired or replaced. One leaks, and the other doesn’t flush completely. One bathroom window screens need to be restored.

Hallway and Living Room: Needs painting.

Carpeting: Carpets need to be replaced with flooring (tile, vinyl, linoleum, etc.)

I want to keep my promise to my landlord who so graciously allowed me to raise those two precious boys in his home “rent-free,” realizing my income could not care for them and pay rent. Can you please help me keep my promise? I thank you so much for whatever you do, and know this, if I had to do it again, without any thought, I’d do it! Why? Because the first years of a child's life are absolutely essential, and when you have the opportunity to model a thriving life, it’s worth it all!