Veteran Repair Program: Shirley’s Story of Service and Safety at Home

On Veteran’s Day, Shirley welcomed volunteers to her 1950‘s home on a tree-lined street in Forest Park. Shirley, a U.S. Marine veteran, was nominated for a landscaping project as part of Habitat’s Veteran’s Day of service event.

Shirley is a part of Habitat’s Veteran Repair Program. Over the last few years, Shirley's husband experienced health and mobility challenges, and Shirley often worried about accidents during simple daily routines, such as stepping into the shower. Through the Veteran Repair Program, Shirley was able to make their bathroom more accessible so she can better care for her husband and his safety.

Shirley is a proud U.S. military veteran who served six years, including three years on active duty and three years in the reserves. She enlisted in 1975 as a young woman, never expecting that decades later her service would be recognized in such a meaningful way. Now nearing 70 years old, Shirley says the support she received meant more than she could put into words.

“So many years later, [for Habitat] to come out and want to do this for my family, it means a great deal,” she said.

Through the Veteran Repair Program, Habitat for Humanity completed several home improvements that directly impacted Shirley’s daily life. One of the most significant updates was the conversion from a tub to a shower. This change improved safety for her husband, who has ongoing medical issues. Shirley often worried about accidents during simple daily routines, such as stepping into the shower.

“Just knowing that he’ll be safe means everything,” Shirley said. “We’ve had a few incidents before, and this will make such a difference.”

In addition to the bathroom modification, volunteers helped with exterior maintenance such as painting, trimming bushes, and cutting tree limbs. For Shirley, having these repairs completed without financial strain was a huge relief. The Habitat for Humanity Veteran Repair Program supports veterans, active military families, and surviving spouses by creating safer, healthier home environments through critical repairs. The program serves military-connected individuals of all ages across the tri-state region, ensuring that those who served our country can continue to live with dignity and security in their homes.

“It’s interesting to see the seeds you plant years ago come back like this,” she reflected. “I did this when I was young, and all these years later, it still matters.”

For Shirley, the work done on her home has served as a reminder that her service has been remembered and valued.