Home for Dorothy

Imagine being a single mother with a seriously ill child and no high school diploma; home ownership would be a dream come true. In 2005, Dorothy entered into an owner finance mortgage. Her need to provide a home for her family and a sense of accomplishment shadowed the high interest rate that would realistically prevent her from ever really owning her home. The terms of the mortgage were not favorable to Dorothy as a home buyer. Still with limited education, income, support, and unknown at the time, future mounting medical bills for a child born with hydrocephalus, this type of mortgage agreement seemed like the right thing to do. Thirteen years later, Dorothy has paid enough interest to buy her modest home twice, with very little going towards the principle. The home she has been working two jobs to buy has no heat except for an electric wall heater that her dad hung in the living room, plumbing has several leaks preventing the city from turning it on the water, broken windows that allow the cold to come in, few functioning electrical outlets and flooring about to give way. Midway through the purchasing agreement, a relative of the original owner financing Dorothy’s loan, assumed the loan and without a contract adjustment, changed the terms. Now Dorothy is expected to pay an increased bimonthly payment and is subjected to harassment regularly. No, this is not right and we have sit on many occasions wondering what is best for Dorothy. We’ve made several attempts to call the home owner for a pay off amount but he never returns our calls. Dorothy has so much invested in her home at this point, it would be hard for her to walk away. The high interest rate has caused her house payments to consume most of her income leaving her unable to pay for repairs or other family needs. Recently she gave way to the stress; she got shingles causing her to miss work and fall further behind but still she has managed to make her house payment. When I check on her, with a smile, she says she is tired and needs a break. Dorothy has other struggles in addition that will be highlighted tomorrow and the next day. Wouldn’t it be great if together we could help Dorothy, the lady with the beautiful smile and exceptional service, pay off her home and make needed repairs? Better yet, find her another home in better conditions. Or maybe replace Dorothy’s car that was recently totaled when she was hit by another driver? I am requesting a large donation only because the need is BIG and I don’t want to limit a miracle.