Randy's Story
"If you need help, just ask," that is A Brush With Kindness homeowner Randy's mentality is about homeownership. Now thanks to the hard work of volunteers and sponsors Randy will be able to stay in his home.
Before Project
Randy has owned his home for more than 23 years, but after he was hit by a drunk driver several years ago, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and adrenal exhaustion made it almost impossible for him to keep up with the immense task of maintaining his property on his own. Eventually it became too much and Randy had to let parts of his yard go. The brush and overgrowth in his back yard piled up for years and fallen trees "overwhelmed him". It had gotten to the point that Randy did not even enjoy driving into his driveway because of how daunting the challenges on his property had become. Randy explained that for someone with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder even the smallest of challenges can set a person back, so big challenges such as the state of his yard were unbearable. Luckily, blessings came together when a IL Specialist from, Independent Lifestyles, mentioned that Randy should apply for a new program, A Brush With Kindness, with Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity (CMHFH) on the same day that Randy had seen a flyer about the program at a local grocery store.
After Project
Randy applied and his project was accepted for the pilot season of A Brush With Kindness. A few months later, more than twenty volunteers arrived at his property and over the span of two days made drastic changes. On the first day volunteers filled an entire dumpster with yard waste and debris and they still had more clean up to do. After more maintenance in the front and back yards volunteers returned a second day to stain the house. Randy said he was, "astounded", after going out and seeing his property transformed. He has already been motivated by the differences; he is starting to do more small outdoor projects and is enjoying his property once again. He is planning on doing some landscaping and he already has a spot picked out where is he is going to be planting a plum tree next spring. Although landscaping and beautification pale in comparison to what Randy is most excited about, the fact that he gets to stay in his home. Thanks to the efforts of Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity and the program, A Brush With Kindness, Randy's home will be safe and decent place to live for years to come.