Candy’s Home and Heart
Magdalena, who lovingly goes by Candy, has called her Valley Junction house “home” since 1993. Nestled in the heart of the neighborhood, her 1910-built home was the first she ever purchased, a lifelong dream made real through years of hard work and sacrifice. “I ate tomato soup for three years just to save for the down payment,” she recalls. “I could go forever never eating soup again.”
For Candy, homeownership has always meant more than having a roof over her head. As a Native American woman from the Apache tribe, she knows the value of stability, roots and connection. Working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), she poured her energy into caring for others. But while she did her best to keep up with repairs over the years, life had other plans.
When COVID-19 swept through communities, it hit Native American families like Candy’s especially hard. Candy suffered a devastating loss. All three of her sons passed away from COVID. The grief was unimaginable. With limited mobility, a fixed income and now no family to help, the burden of home maintenance became too much to carry alone.
Her roof leaked. Her windows were broken. The water heater dripped steadily. Her garage , once a symbol of her self-sufficiency, had a failing roof and crumbling siding. The door locks didn’t work. Her privacy fence had collapsed. With her mobility challenges, the lack of grab bars in her home made every day a risk for falls. Her homeowner’s insurance company threatened to cancel her policy because of the home’s condition.
Overwhelmed, Candy didn’t know where to turn until a local tree service connected her with Rebuilding Together.
When we first met Candy, the weight of home repair hung heavy. But through partnerships with contractors, skilled volunteers and generous hearts, things began to change. Her roof, both on the house and garage, was replaced. Broken windows were repaired, including the beautiful original picture window with stained glass that greets the street. Door locks were secured, a new water heater installed and sturdy grab bars now offer the support she needs. With help from volunteers from Ryan Companies, the garage siding and privacy fence are now being restored, too.
These repairs are more than just construction projects. They’re helping to rebuild Candy’s pride, confidence, safety and peace of mind. This has changed everything for Candy. She can finally focus on her health again. She no longer feels afraid, she feels cared for.
As spring blossoms around her Valley Junction home, Candy is looking forward, not with the heavy burden of worry, but with hope. Thanks to the work of many hands and the heart of a community that believes in neighbors helping neighbors, Candy’s home and spirit are being restored.