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Critical Home Repair Program Recipient Sandra L. Grateful for her ‘Angels’
Sandra and Sis_Update
Sandra L.'s historic home in Oklahoma City was repaired by Critical Home Repair, inspiring the former teacher and artist to do additional renovations to her home.
Critical Home Repair Program Recipient Sandra L. Grateful for her ‘Angels’
When Sandra L. moved into her new home on N.E. 8th Street in Oklahoma City more than 30 years ago, she loved the historic character of her 1910 four-bedroom abode. The high school visual arts teacher even did some home renovations early on and later set up an art studio and T-shirt printing operation in her den.
As the years passed, Sandra L. raised her daughter, Tatyana F., and taught art at local high schools. She also cared for her husband, Donald, and her aging mother. Sadly, Sandra also developed an auto-immune disease before Donald passed away in 2020. Her mother also passed away last year.
Sandra L. tried to maintain her home, but her husband’s death filled her with grief, and she rarely left her bedroom. She said she eventually felt “imprisoned” upstairs because her old house was so cold during the winter.
“It was so cold downstairs, I could see my breath,” Sandra L. said. “It was so bad I put plastic and wood over the windows – the house was falling apart. I told myself last year, I’m not going to stay in that room anymore and I prayed to the Lord for angels to come help me.”
On a limited income, Sandra began reaching out to various state and city agencies and nonprofits for assistance, including applying for Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity’s Critical Home Repair (CHR) program. CHR Volunteer Coordinator Chris Hearn later visited Sandra L.’s house and saw her immediate need for safe and secure shelter.
In December of 2023, CHR staff and volunteers worked together to replaced three house heaters, sent plumbers to fix plumbing problems in her two bathrooms and kitchen sink, did some drywall ceiling repairs and replaced seven windows. Meanwhile, Sandra L. performed her sweat-equity hours at one of Habitat’s ReStores.
Sandra L. said she was so inspired by what CHR’s accomplished, she decided to do more renovations herself. She made repairs in her living room and foyer, varnished the wood floors and painted and decorated the rooms with antiques and African art. She plans to start next in her downstairs bathroom and kitchen.
“The Critical Home Repair staff are my angels,” she said. “It would have been an insult to Habitat to keep my house the way it was before. Now, I want to spend time with people and my family.”
