Beverly’s voice brims with emotion as she talks about the improvements to her home made by Habitat’s Neighborhood Engagement Program.

“I feel so blessed and grateful,” she said. “This has made a huge difference in my life.”

Beverly, 63, is a divorced mother of four. She is a native of Palm Beach County who went to John I. Leonard High School in Greenacres before getting her nursing certification.

For many years, her main job was at JFK Hospital. But she often worked a second nursing position at the same time in an effort to build a life for her family. In 2001, she was able to buy a home in Lake Worth Beach, where she raised her kids.

But a few years ago, Beverly had to stop working because of diabetes. The illness damaged her eyesight and impaired her ability to walk. Her children are grown and have moved out, but she shares her house with her teenage grandson, who is her caregiver.

Her home desperately needed repairs. Many of the windows were broken or cracked. Her front door wouldn’t close properly because the frame had rotted away. And her house needed a paint job. There was no way she could afford the improvements living on Social Security.

Hurricane season was particularly scary because the old windows could easily shatter in a strong wind. And her front door provided little protection against potential break-ins.

Beverly was referred to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County by another non-profit called the American Association of Caregiving Youth.

Habitat installed new impact windows in Beverly’s home. They also replaced her front door with an impact door, painted the house, re-landscaped the yard and added a new privacy fence.

“I am so blessed,” she said. “It has made such a difference.”

Besides being safer, her new windows have cut $100 from her monthly electric bill because they insulate better. And she expects that impact glass will also reduce her windstorm insurance premiums.

The upgrades have helped in another unexpected but important way.

“I look around my house and it looks better,” she said. “And when your house looks better, you feel better.

“It lifts you up.”

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Written by Steve Plamann, a dedicated Habitat for Humanity volunteer.