Kate’s Story

Kate, 50, lives with her two teenage daughters in the small frame house where she grew up. She’s always done her best to keep her little family together, but it isn’t easy. Last year, Kate couldn’t be at home because of her bipolar disorder, so her daughters were in foster care for ten months.

When Kate reunited with her girls she faced another challenge. The flat roof on their home’s modest addition, which serves as living room, bedroom and porch, was deteriorated beyond repair. The ceiling leaked, the walls were ruined, and Kate feared the whole structure would eventually collapse. Kate couldn’t afford a new roof, but she had nowhere else to go.

She was hopeful when she heard about a United Way-supported collaboration of several local housing agencies that repairs the homes of people with disabilities so they can stay safe and avoid homelessness. “I was amazed at how helpful and responsive they were. They replaced the roof in one afternoon, and did an excellent job!” Kate says. “I’ve been through a lot this year, and when I literally couldn’t keep a roof over my head it looked like things were going from bad to worse. This means so much to me. We’re going to be okay now. I’m thankful from the bottom of my heart.”