This article was written by Marzia Bellesi, Hands on Housing Program Specialist.

Ms. Beasley is a spry lady, 74 years young and still full of life despite her mobility issues; but, the Ms. Beasley we know is different than the person we would have met a few years back. After Mr. Beasley, her husband of many years, passed away she fell into a depression, leaving her home and personal affairs being neglected for some time.

Thankfully, her friends and congregation members came together to provide Ms. Beasley the support she needed. To get her back on her feet, they got her some help from a personal financial advisor and other local agencies. She was finally referred to Interfaith Action of Central Texas for some much needed home repairs and modifications when she found herself without air conditioning in the summer of last year.

Ms. Beasley’s strong will is what gets her in trouble sometimes, especially when she tries a bit harder than she should to do her chores and take care of things around the house. Our Hands on Housing program was able to provide her with a safer and more accessible home through flooring repair, door widening, ramp installation and much-needed electrical work. Ms. Beasley is a prime example of a community coming together to take care of its most vulnerable members, and iACT is proud to be part of the effort that helped bring her smile back.