Community Remodels Single Mother of Four’s Home

By Cass Jacoby.  

Rebuilding Together El Paso and Loretto Academy Challenge Program make sure the Martinez family has a comfortable place to call home.  

When Karen Martinez bought her house 13 years ago, she knew she would need to fix it up, but after over a decade, she still hasn’t had the time or money to do so. “It is an old house and circumstance that I have to work full time and with my little kids and all that we haven’t had time to fix it up,” Karen told KTSM. 

Co-director for Loretto Academy Challenge Program, Sylvia Hernandez told KTSM, “Her work in a fast-food restaurant plus caring for her ill family members, all while raising four children meant there was never time nor the money to put back into the house.”  

Now, the mother of four is finally getting her house fixed with help from her community in El Paso. Volunteers are now repainting her house, replacing windows, remodeling her bathroom, fixing the plumbing and most importantly repairing the leaky roof. “Now, every time it rains, I know that I don’t have to get up to put some things,” said Karen. 

While the Martinez family home is being remodeled, the family has been provided a stay in a local hotel, fully paid through donations. 

Karen's home repairs were made possible by Rebuilding Together El Paso and the Loretto Academy Challenge Program. Materials for the project were donated from companies across El Paso who wanted to help.  

Karen told KTSM, “It’s amazing. I mean every time I come and see something different, I want to cry.”  

Volunteer Sophia Padilla is among the many volunteers excited for the Martinez family to come back home, telling KTSM, “It’s not just a house, it’s somebody’s home, we’re making it feel more homey for them. It’s something small but it’s going to be life-changing for them.” 

Do you know of someone in the industry who is ‘doing good deeds’ in their community? Help us catch them at it. Send news and information to info@rooferscoffeeshop.com.  

Photo source: KTSM 

About Cass  

Cass works as a reporter/writer for RoofersCoffeeShop and AskARoofer. When she isn’t writing about roofs, she is writing about movies for her master's degree and dancing with her plants.