BUILDING AND MAINTAINING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

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1 JULY 2008 INSIDE... PAGE 2 Learn more about the team who makes the Serve Our Seniors Program possible PAGE 4 An overview of Merced s collaboration with the City of San Antonio to make health, safety and emergency repairs M H T erced ousing exas BUILDING AND MAINTAINING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES heart The mission of Merced Housing Texas is to create and strengthen healthy communities through the provision of quality, affordable, service-enriched housing for individuals and families who are economically poor. A champion s 50-year-old Mr. Kennis Price is proud of his 2007 San Antonio Spurs championship prosthetic. Because despite the numerous challenges he faces as an amputee, he says that it is much easier to go through life with a smile. Mr. Price says that his ability to maintain a positive outlook began early on. Growing up, I was the fat kid that everyone teased, said Kennis. The more I was teased, the more motivated I became to excel. As an adult, he kept this mentality and worked his way from washing dishes to being a licensed Kitchen Manager. However, in November 2003, Mr. Price started dialysis and in September 2006, he had his left leg amputated. His wife of 27 years, Janis, a former child care worker, also fell ill with lymphadema, a condition that causes painful swellings of the lower limbs. Simultaneously, the Price s quaint home, which had been in the family for four generations, started to fall into disrepair. No longer able to work and subsisting on a fixed income, they had no money to make the repairs. Enter Mary Emerson, the Price s next door neighbor and President of the Harvard/Eastlawn Neighborhood Association. She told them about Merced s Serve Our Seniors Emergency Repair Program (SOS), which helps make health and emergency related repairs to the homes of extremely low-income senior and disabled homeowners. Merced was able to repair the Price s bathroom by removing the existing tub and building a new ADA accessible walk-in shower. The repairs have been a blessing since their bathroom was unsafe and had no secure railings, said Marsha Price, Kennis sister who stopped working as a Serve Our Seniors recipient Kennis Price. Continued on page 2

2 The voice on the other end of the line In the eyes of many SOS recipients, Sister Jo Marie Arredondo, SHF is someone they can call a friend. For 83-year-old recipient Mrs. Antonia Salazar, Sr. Jo Marie became the friend that she would call daily for advice. Mrs. Salazar (story on page 4) says that she doesn t know what she would have done without Sr. Jo Marie s continuous support. Without her advocacy and understanding of my needs, the leveling of my house would not have been possible, said Salazar. As Merced s Administrative Assistant, Sister Jo Marie is responsible for the intake for the SOS program. In the last year, she documented talking to over 719 callers requesting our assistance. Many tell her heartbreaking stories, but unfortunately, we are unable to help all of them due to lack of funding or because they live out of our target area. Despite the overwhelming nature of her job, she manages to keep an unwavering spirit to help each caller. Whenever we are unable to provide SOS assistance, my saving grace is to give callers a meaningful referral to other agencies, she says. Sister Jo Marie has worked for Merced since Throughout this time she says that she has had the privilege to form a special bond with SOS recipients through talking with them on the phone. SOS recipients seem to equally cherish their relationship with her says George Hogan, Project Manager for Sister Jo Marie Arredondo, SHF spends the majority of her day on the phone. She says that the highlight of her job is to provide guidance and advice to callers. Merced s Owner-Occupied Programs. SOS recipients appreciate her attentiveness and her ability to keep pushing to move things forward, Hogan said. Her ability to be attentive has won her several admirers, who make sure to send thank you cards to show their appreciation. When we receive thank you notes, it is very affirming to know that clients have felt that Merced has helped them and treated them with the respect and the dignity that they deserve she said. FROM OUR MAILBOX With My Thanks I really am grateful and hope that you know how happy I am to be telling you so! To the Sister and contractors of Merced. I want to tell you thank you for the nice job you ve done on my home. You have the best workers. If you need to show my home you are welcome to do so. Thank you again. God Bless, Jacqueline Washington A champion s heart, continued from page 1 computer programmer to take care of her brother and his family. For Kennis, the repairs are especially important because of his belief that everyone should make a contribution to society. It s not always about how much money you can give, it s about lending a hand to help your neighbor, he said. It is this attitude that inspires Kennis to feed the homeless and to enjoy life to the fullest. It is also the reason that he has so much faith in the San Antonio Spurs team, even after they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the play-offs. The Spurs are a reflection of kindness found in this town, he said. We would be a lot better off if everyone was more compassionate like Merced has been to me. The Price family s bathroom was remodeled by Sergio Vasquez s contracting crew. Mrs. Janis Price says they treated us like family. I feel that the repairs made to our home were love put into action. 2 Merced Housing Texas JULY 2008

3 Rehab Specialist finds fountain of youth in hard work 79-year-old Casimiro Briseño keeps on telling people that he will retire as soon as he becomes of age. But the way he sees it, he is still young and full of energy to continue using his talents to help low-income homeowners live in a safer and more comfortable environment. Casimiro, known as C.B., has worked as Merced s Rehabilitation Specialist since 2003 and has been involved in the rehabilitation of more than 120 homes. His responsibilities include visiting each home to be repaired, evaluating what repairs need to be made, hiring contractors to complete the repairs and inspecting the contractor s work to ensure that the repairs were made correctly. With over 60 years of carpentry, sheet metal, construction, roofing and remodeling experience, C.B. says that rehabilitating houses is his passion. C.B. is just one of those people who can look around a house and know exactly what needs to be fixed and how much it is going to cost, says Susan R. Sheeran, President of Merced Housing Texas. The wisdom that C.B. brings to Merced is much appreciated by all, but is especially valued by George Hogan, Project Manager. C.B. has been an invaluable mentor who has taught me not only the technical aspects of working with contractors, but how to treat people fairly, Hogan said. The only difficult part of working with C.B. is keeping up with him! According to C.B., his doctor has told him that working is good for his soul. In addition to the energy C.B. finds in hard work, he has another explanation for his youthful spirit. Maybe I got it from my mother, he says. She lived to be 101! (Above Left) Rehabilitation Specialist, C.B. explains to Mr. Paul Hilton the extent of repairs needed at his home. C.B. says he works closely with clients to determine which repairs are most critical. Merced s veteran contractor crafts buildings to piñatas After a hard day s work rehabilitating homes, Sergio Vasquez, puts down his hammer and heads to his flower shop to make piñatas. Despite never learning how to read or write, 47-year-old Sergio Vasquez has taught himself to be a successful business man. He owns Sergio Vasquez Roofing and Remodeling and two flower/piñata shops located on the Westside of San Antonio. In addition to his businesses, he has worked for Merced since 2003 and has worked on several rehabilitation BEFORE 75-year-old Mrs. Maria Louisa Turriviate s bathroom needed numerous repairs. projects, including the renovation of Merced s nine-unit complex Eleanor Place Apartments. Sergio is such a hard worker. He will look at what needs to get done and quickly does it, said Susan R. Sheeran, President. He has an innate sense of knowing how to do things. This innate ability to construct objects is what motivated Sergio to make piñatas. If I can rehabilitate a house, I can do this, he said. Born in Mexico, Sergio grew up in the agricultural town of San Pedro, AFTER Sergio Vasquez and his crew were able to remodel her bathroom. Mrs. Turriviate says the repairs are an incentive to get up each morning. Coahuila. His first job, at 8- years-old was to herd goats. At age fifteen, he left Mexico to build Sergio Vasquez shows off his colorful creation. He says that he can customize any piñata. a better life for himself in the United States. He became a U.S. citizen in Shortly after, Sergio met Merced s Rehabilitation Specialist C.B. Briseno who mentored him and encouraged him to get his construction license. People laughed at him since he didn t know how to read or write, C.B. said. But he answered all the questions correctly and got his license. Now he s an expert in roofing, plumbing, electricity and air conditioning. So when people ask Sergio how he has been able to accomplish so much without a formal education, Sergio s reply is simple. It s called Mexican engineering, he says with a smile. JULY 2008 Merced Housing Texas 3

4 The help City of San Anto seniors stay in The City of San Antonio awarded Merced a contract of $250,000 The funds have enabled Merced to make repairs to over 44 home Rosalia Silva is originally from Puerto Rico. One of her favorite 75-year-old pastimes is to cook typical Puerto Rican dishes such as arroz con habicheulas, which means rice and beans. However, due to damaged gas lines under her house, she was unable to cook or have hot water in her home. Ms. Silva applied to the FHLB/COSA Emergency Repair Program and requested that we fix her gas lines and restore her ability to cook and to have hot water. Merced was able to re-wire her house for electric appliances and provided her a range and water heater. Nevertheless, at a final evaluation with Ms. Silva, she mentioned to George Hogan, Project Manager, that there must be a water leak because she saw standing water on the street. What we learned when we unearthed the main sewer line was that her house was not connected to the sewer main, Hogan said. Every drop of water that she had been using was going under her house. San Antonio Water System (SAWS) was able to reconnect Mrs. Silva s yard line to the sewer main and Merced hooked up the drain lines to her home. Now that the repairs are completed at her home, Mrs. Silva says that she is less stressed and more able to do the things she enjoys. I am so happy that I can cook again, she said enthusiastically. (TOP LEFT) George Hogan, Project Manager counsels Mrs. Elida Moreno. George provided homeownership counseling, home maintenance and sweat equity suggestions to all 44 homeowners served through the Federal Home Loan Bank- Dallas/City of San Antonio Emergency Repair Program. (LEFT) Rosalia Silva s gas lines were fixed to restore her ability to cook and have hot water. Merced wired the house for electric appliances and provided her with a range and water heater. CONTRACTOR SPOTLIGHT Artemio Perez has been a contractor for Merced for two years and has completed repairs to approximately 30 homes through the Espada Sewer Connect and Serve Our Senior Program (SOS). He has ten years of construction experience, but before becoming a self-employed contractor, Artemio worked in the crop spraying industry. He says that he did this job to help support his daughter through college. However, the day she graduated from college was the very same day that he resigned and began dreaming of starting up his own company. In 1998, he accomplished that dream and founded T&J Builders. He now manages three construction crews to provide housing rehabilitation or new construction. His latest endeavor is to become lead certified. Artemio Perez Artemio is also a contractor for the City of San Antonio Housing and Neighborhood Services. Through his work for the City of San Antonio, he has focused on building new homes. I like the work that I do, he says. In his spare time, he donates unused materials such as windows, doors, and insulation to families in need. 4 Merced Housing Texas JULY 2008

5 unite nio and Merced to love the homes they own and to provide minor emergency repairs to the homes of extremely low-income senior and disabled homeowners in San Antonio. s since April Here are examples of the lives we ve touched through this program. Antonia Salazar has 83-year-old lived in her home for 45 years and over time, her foundation had shifted to the point where she could no longer close her doors properly. Mrs. Salazar requested that Merced level her house, however, the cost of leveling exceeded program limits. Although Merced staff tried to persuade her that the program limits would cover other repairs needed in her home, Mrs. Salazar was persistent about having her foundation fixed. She visited the Merced office several times, says George Hogan. During this time she formed a tight-knit bond with Sister Jo Marie Arredondo, SHF who pushed Ms. Salazar s case. Of all SOS recipients, Mrs. Salazar sticks out in my mind due to her persistence and involvement in the repair process, Sister Jo Marie said. After months of waiting, Mrs. Salazar got her wish. Merced was able to level her house and installed 68 concrete posts. We were able to repair Mrs. Salazar s foundation using FHLB funds, SOS funds, funds pooled through Mrs. Salazar and with the contractor lowering his price. There were times when Mrs. Salazar felt that she would never get her house fixed, but whenever she was down, she says she would quickly pick herself up and continue pushing her cause. Those who do not have a lot of money need to have a lot of patience, she said. Patience is definitely a virtue that she possesses, and now that the repairs have been made, she says she is satisfied. I raised my six children in this home, Mrs. Salazar said. I wouldn t feel comfortable living anywhere else. (TOP LEFT): Antonio Salazar with her daughter. New foundation and skirting Drainage slopes away to keep water out Even though Mrs. Antonia Salazar s foundation repairs exceeded the Federal Home Loan Bank-Dallas/City of San Antonio (FHLB-D/COSA) Emergency repair program limits, Merced was able to pool money from Ms. Salazar, with FHLB and Serve Our Seniors funds to make the repairs possible. The contractor also lowered his price to ensure that her house got leveled. JULY 2008 Merced Housing Texas 5

6 BECAUSE OF YOU year-old Mr. Charles Aldridge is one of the 300 clients served through Merced s emergency repair programs. Donate now to help us better meet the needs of seniors like Mr. Aldridge who depend on Merced to make their homes more livable. Thank You! Contributions from January 1, April 30, 2008 Corporate Grants, Foundation Grants, and Awards Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. Frost Frost Business Advisory Committee Genevieve and Ward Orsinger Foundation Myra Stafford Pryor Charitable Trust NuStar Logistics, L.P. The Greehey Family Foundation Other Contributions Mr. Charles Aldridge would have AFTER to set out buckets to collect the water. Through generous donations, Merced was able to repair his roof. BEFORE 6 Susan Klien & Vangie Bazán Rev. Emmet Carolan Kenneth G. Klenke Aloys P. Mika T.M. Smith John Wilson In Memory of Brigidine Sisters Daughters of Mary Immaculate Patsy Cheyney Becky Garza Anna Huth Thelma B. Lincoln Edgar T. Sandoval Susan R. Sheeran Sr. Mary Rose Zimmerer, CDP Every time that it rained, End of the Year Appeal Merced Housing Texas JULY 2008 Deceased Sisters and families of our sisters. Greg Thorse Fred Robel Mary A. Thevis William H. Dirks Ernest & Irma VanGossen Mr. & Mrs. Henry F. Wedelich In Honor of Mary Wolf Given by The Sheeran Family A Special Thanks To Easter Seals Disability Services, New Beginnings Program for folding, labeling and sorting our newsletter. Given by Sr. Rita Rose Bily, CDP Mario González Karen Robel Sister Agnes L. Thevis, CDP The Sheeran Family Sr. Elizabeth VanGossen, CDP Sr. Charlene Wedelich, CDP

7 When we sought a partner organization for this donation, we were very impressed with the work of Merced Housing Texas, and their mission of creating and strengthening healthy communities. Paul Buchanan, president of Houston-based Chancellor Development PRESIDENT S MESSAGE The value of teamwork Julian Navarro (left) and Vince Ramos of Encore Management Company move a refrigerator, one of the many items donated to Merced by Chancellor Development. FURNISHINGS DONATION TO BENEFIT LOW-INCOME FAMILIES Merced received a donation of refrigerators, stoves, water heaters, and airconditioning units from Chancellor Development who inherited the items through the purchase of two motels and the Bentwood Place Apartments on Austin Highway. Jody Marquez, regional manager of Encore Management Company, helped make the donation happen. Encore has been the long-time property manager of Bentwood and is the current property manager for several of Merced properties. I think this is a wonderful gesture, and Merced certainly is one of our city s most deserving non-profits, she said. The economically poor and especially seniors will benefit from this donation. This newsletter features Merced s Owner-Occupied Repair team. Each person is a creative, hardworking member of the team who brings unique gifts and talents to the work we do. Merced collaborates with many community partners to leverage resources to provide emergency repairs for extremely low-income seniors and disabled homeowners. We appreciate David Garza, Director of Housing and Neighborhood Services, City of San Antonio and Donna Normandin, Frost Senior Vice President, for sponsoring the application to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas. A special thanks to the staff at the City of San Antonio Housing and Neighborhood Services and to John Kenny at the San Antonio Housing Trust. Additional thanks to Annie E. Casey Foundation with the San Antonio Area Foundation, JP Morgan Chase, Broadway National Bank, The Laredo National Bank, Wells Fargo Foundation, for making the FHLB/COSA Emergency Repair Program possible. Through this program Merced was able to repair 44 homes. UU Housing Assistance Corporation also participated in the program and repaired 36 homes for a total of 80 homes. FOUNDING CONGREGATIONS Congregation of Benedictine Sisters www. boernebenedictine.com Congregation of Divine Providence Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul www. daughters-of-charity.org Missionary Catechists of Dive Providence Sisters of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate ASSOCIATE CONGREGATIONS Congregation of St. Brigid Daughters of Mary Immaculate Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament Ursuline Nuns of San Antonio BOARD OF DIRECTORS Sr. Mary Louise Barba, MCDP, Chair Jennifer Bligh, Esq. Sr. Jean Thomas Dwyer, DC Sr. Imelda González, CDP Larry Hufford, Ph.D. Sr. Susan Mika, OSB Nikki Michelle Niño Anne E. Ohlrich, J.D. Rebecca Rowland Sanchez, J.D. Sr. Cindy Stacy, CCVI Anthony Warren MERCED STAFF Susan R. Sheeran President Edgar T. Sandoval V.P./Asset Management Ivy R. Taylor V.P./Director of Resident Services Carla E. Aguilar Corporate Secretary/ Executive Assistant Sister Imelda Gonzalez, CDP Treasurer (volunteer) Sister Jo Marie Arredondo, SHF Administrative Assistant Casimiro CB Briseno Rehabilitation Specialist George Hogan Project Manager Kristin Evans Resident Services Manager Janice Hardeman Resident Services Coordinator Mia Morris Resident Services Coordinator Diana Briseño Resident Services Coordinator Shaunda Cooper Resident Services Coordinator Financial Services provided by: Gary M. Driggers Legacy Renewal JULY 2008 Merced Housing Texas 7

8 Merced Housing Texas Properties A beautiful pool side view of the 204 unit Riversquare Apartments in Corpus Christi, TX. Outside San Antonio Bellshire Apartments 800 Bellshire Drive, Conroe, TX Greystar Management 936/ Fenner Square Apartments 555 S. Burke, Goliad, TX Hamilton Valley Management Co. 361/ Riversquare Apartment Homes River Run, Corpus Christi, TX Alpha Barnes Management 361/ Navigation Pointe Apartments 909 S. Navigation Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX Alpha Barnes Management 361/ In San Antonio: Artisan at Salado Creek Apartments 3644-Binz-Engleman, United Apartment Group 210/ Artisan at Willow Springs Apartments 535 Gembler Road, United Apartment Group 210/ Avion Place Apartments 5670 S.W. Miltary Drive, Encore Management Company 210/ Elmhurst Place Apartments 123 Elmhurst Avenue, Encore Management Company 210/ Stablewood Farms Apartments 8301 Lake Vista Drive, Encore Management Company 210/ Eleanor Place Apartments 324 Eleanor Avenue, Encore Management Company 210/ W. Laurel San Antonio, TX (210) Fax: (210) Return Service Requested Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No San Antonio, Texas