Delores' Story: Preserving a Legacy

Delores poses for a photo in front of her home.

This story by Caroline Blakely first appeared on the Rebuilding Together national office’s blog.

Being able to stay in a family home is about more than having a safe and beloved place to live. It’s about preserving a legacy and staying connected to family stories. It’s also about getting the chance to build generational wealth that neighbors like Dolores can pass on to their grandchildren.

Our neighbor and frontline worker Delores lives in a family home that originally belonged to her grandmother. Delores has deep ties to her community and takes great pride in her grandmother’s home. When her family home fell into disrepair, she wasn’t sure where to turn. In 2021, Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte was able to replace Delores’ roof, redo her kitchen, repair damaged siding, install a new furnace and central AC, repaint several rooms, install new flooring throughout the house and more.

“Not only are they helping me rebuild this house," Delores said after the repairs were completed. "They are helping me kind of start over, another chance at life and giving my family another chance to be able to meet.”

After receiving repairs from RTGC or other Rebuilding Together affiliates, our neighbors report home maintenance costs decreased for 27% of them. Nearly 70% of neighbors plan to pass on their property to a family member or friend.

Delores lives in the Lakeview neighborhood of Charlotte. Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte worked with Delores to make her home safe and healthy.