On Saturday April 21, Habitat For Humanity, San Bernardino Area conducted one of their “A Brush With Kindness” events in Fontana, at the home of Lessie Walker-Hughes. The Habitat staff was joined by 20 Volunteers consisting of students and faculty advisors from CSU San Bernardino, as part of their Coyote Cares Day.
According to Habitat For Humanity Executive Director David Hahn, “A Brush With Kindness” events are exterior home preservation activities that typically offer painting, light landscaping and minor repair for homeowners in need. “The program is way for us to help low-income homeowners, who, due to circumstances such as age or disability, are struggling to maintain the exterior of their homes”, says Hahn.
They were joined by Fontana City Councilmembers Jesse Sandoval and John Roberts, as well as Fontana Unified School District Board President Mary Sandoval. Councilmembers Sandoval and Roberts presented Habitat For Humanity with a certificate of recognition, expressing the City’s gratitude for their contributions to the community. Also present for the event were Habitat Board Members Linda Jackson and Favi Maria.
The project began at 8:30 AM and concluded by 12:30 PM. Painting was done all around the outside of Ms. Walker-Hughes’ home, as was some minor landscaping work. “There are a few more items we need to address, so Habitat staff will be coming back out in May to conduct some minor repair work”, said Habitat’s Volunteer Coordinator Loreta Erickson. “We’d also like to give a big ‘thank-you’ to all the Volunteers from CSU San Bernardino that came out today. They were Awesome”.
Ms. Walker-Hughes commented “I would like to thank all the volunteers and Habitat for Humanity. I’m so blessed and proud of my home. I appreciate everyone’s hard work. God Bless the volunteers and Habitat staff.”
There is an application process to be completed, with eligibility requirements, in order to be considered a candidate for “A Brush With Kindness” events. For example, homeowners must reside in the home as their primary residence, homeowners must have homeowner’s insurance, and total household income must fall below 80% of the of the median household income in San Bernardino County. For more information, go to their website at www.habitatsb.org or call 909-478-1176.