Join in on Supporting Our Making a Difference Campaign!
Dear Friends and Supporters
We are excited to announce our Desperate Home Repairs Fundraiser.
Our goal is to raise $44,500; this will facilitate replacing the roof and the first and second floor front porches, and exterior waterproofing. We need your help to make our home safe and stable. You can make this happen!
Why This Matters: Per my roofing contractor in 2023 and multiple repairs later, stated. “When the new roof was completed in 2012, the wood beneath the shingles was severely damaged from the air gun being too high, preventing proper securing of the shingles”. Of course, after the labor warranty expired; eventually causing multiple shingle repairs. Recently, there was the after effects of hurricane Debby that hit northeast Ohio, which resulted in shingles missing and the third-floor bedroom ceiling started leaking.
The front porch provides access into both upper and lower units, shelter and supports the third-floor bedroom. Due to the house settling and water damage causing wood warping and the pillars to shift, the porch is becoming more unstable. The basement now traps water when it rains. Exterior waterproofing is necessary.
The Eight-bedroom home was obtained in 2004 for the sole purpose of a state registered; home-based business called Resident’s First LLC. The mission is to provide safe and stable housing, community re-entry support and support with daily living skills; for the men who suffer with mental illness. The business will be able to open its doors and provide hands-on services which is much needed in the community.
Our Goals:
- Goal 1: Replace the Front Porch
- Goal 2: Replace the Roof
- Goal 3: Exterior waterproofing
How You Can Help: Every donation, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to achieving our mission.
I am Bernard Shealy, husband, father, and grandfather. I am a full-time employee ready to retire in one year and eleven months. We are in an increasingly desperate situation with mounting home repairs, that have taken several turns for the worse resulting in health-related loss of income(s). We have been able to do some repairs in 2019, however not many before health started to fail.
A house member suffered a stroke in the home in July 2020 and is now living in a nursing home.
My brother was a house member as well, he died in December 2021, due to COPD.
I, married my wife and in that same year she suffered a heart attack as we were coming from her employer. She was able to return to work until February 2024. She then suffered an ischemic stroke; a direct result from the heart attack she suffered it ruptured her left ventricle and caused blood clots to spread and travel to her brain.
The past six months have been dedicated to my wife’s recovery and maintaining a since of stability for us all. Sadly, I have not been able to have family or friends visit on a regular basis or have the grandkids over from being over consumed with addressing her recovery and the repairs of the house. Our youngest daughter has excelled beyond all odds in high school and was recognized as the number #1 achieving Sophomore at her school. She is overwhelmed and is now employed part-time. Although, my daughters want to contribute towards the much-needed home repairs, it is my responsibility to provide a safe and stable home for the family.
Your support means the world to us and to those we serve.
Thank You
The Shealy Family