CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Habitat for Humanity's home repair program has helped a Clearlake woman make much-needed repairs to her home and, in turn, gained a new volunteer.
As a little girl, Shirley DeLucca came to Lake County for vacations with her family.
Her father chose the site of her Madrone Street home in Clearlake for his retirement dream home and began to build.
A bricklayer himself, he was able to build his home with the help of friends and family, but never had the joy of living in it.
The house, which DeLucca helped build, housed her mother for the next 13 years, after which time the house came into DeLucca's possession.
Having lived in the house much of her life, she has no desire to live anywhere else. When it became obvious that her home needed roof repair that she was unable to afford, DeLucca feared she the worst – that she would be forced to sell it and move from the home.
“I was afraid I’d lose my home,” she said. “There’s great sentimental value here; I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
That's when Habitat for Humanity was able to help.
DeLucca's beloved brick home marks the 100th household that Habitat for Humanity Lake County has been able to service since the group's inception in Lake County in 2001.
The organization branched into home repair in 2010 to meet the needs of the elderly, disabled and low-income households in the county that are unable to repair and maintain their homes.
Grateful for the assistance she received, DeLucca has offered to volunteer at the office whenever she is needed, in whatever capacity she can help.
“I like to help people. If others help me, I want to give back. Kindness goes around full circle,” she said.
For more information on Habitat’s Home Repair Program or the homeownership program, visit www.lakehabitat.org , call them at 707-994-1100 or visit the organization's Lower Lake office, 16285 A Main St.