Denise knew something had to change when her husband could no longer safely get in and out of their bathtub. Their main-level bathroom was unsafe—the vanity was cracked, the floor tiles were lifting, and water often collected around the toilet. Because of this, they had to go downstairs to use the other bathroom, which became more and more difficult and dangerous for her husband after he was involved in an accident. 

That’s when Denise’s sister-in-law stepped in. Seeing how much they were struggling, she found Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity’s Home Repair Program, sent Denise a link to apply, and encouraged her to reach out because she knew they would qualify.

Through the program, Iowa Heartland Habitat transformed their main-level bathroom into a safe and accessible space. They installed a walk-in shower with grab bars and a detachable shower head, replaced the old toilet with a brand-new handicap-accessible one, repaired the floors, painted, and gave the bathroom a fresh, welcoming feel. Best of all, Iowa Heartland Habitat included Denise in the process, letting her choose the colors and finishes so the space felt like her own.

Now, life feels completely different. Denise says, “There are no worries of falling down the stairs or slipping in the shower. It gives us peace of mind—we know it’s safe and easy for us to use.”

She encourages others in a similar situation to apply if they qualify: “It’s a great opportunity to help people in need, especially with things they can’t do on their own. The staff is friendly, the work is quick, and the results are life changing.”

Most of all, Denise is grateful. She says, “A big thank you to the Iowa Heartland Habitat staff! They did awesome work, and they listened to our input every step of the way. It was such a great opportunity to be a part of, and I’m so thankful for all the volunteers who gave their time and effort to make this possible.”