SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Recently widowed wife of an Army veteran, Patricia Shines, believed she was purchasing a new home in Charlotte, North Carolina as part of a veteran’s home-buying program. Today she was surprised with the news that the mortgage has been paid in full, thanks to a partnership between Nehemiah Community Reinvestment Fund (NCRF) and Bank of America.
A Patriot Guard procession of veterans and local firefighters led Shines and her granddaughter, Alysha Zephir, to their new home this morning. NCRF and Bank of America presented Shines with the keys to her new home and the good news that it was already paid for through Roofs for Troops, a NRCF program designed to help our nation's returning military veterans by providing affordable homes.
“It was so exciting to see her face,” said Alysha Zephir, who helped coordinate the surprise for Patricia Shines. “This is a huge weight off our shoulders. I don’t know anyone who is more deserving than her.”
After the tragic loss of her son, Leano Zephir, Sr., and his wife, Angela, in a car crash in 1991, Patricia and Joe Shines adopted their grandchildren, Alysha, and Leano Zephir Jr. Shines’ late husband, Joe Shines, was a World War II veteran and her late son and Alysha’s dad, Leano Sr., was a Desert Storm veteran.
When Leano Jr., was killed in a car crash in 2010 and Joe died of cancer last year, Patricia decided to move to Charlotte with Alysha to be closer to family. This gift from NCRF – in partnership with Bank of America – is a chance for them to recover from such tragedy and build a new life together.
“Patricia Shines’ story is why we created the Roofs for Troops program in the first place,” said Scott Syphax, president of NCRF. “This home donation allows us to show support for our military veteran’s, their families and our country. We are proud to have been able to support Patricia and Alysha with their new life in Charlotte.”
Roofs for Troops facilitated the donation of the Bank of America property and coordinated a full renovation of the 1,660 square foot, four-bedroom, two-bath home with local Charlotte area contractors. Renovation work included installation of a new roof, new kitchen appliances, new flooring, paint, electrical work, and various other repairs.
This is one in a series of homes the NCRF and Bank of America will donate across the country this year to deserving military families as part of the Roofs for Troops program.
About Roofs for Troops
NCRF created the Roofs for Troops program in 2012 in response to the estimated 2 million military veterans who will return home from service by 2015. Roofs For Troops provides an opportunity for military veterans, their family members and active duty military personnel to participate in the housing recovery by purchasing clean, safe, renovated and well-priced homes, all while interest rates remain at historic lows. The program provides participants the first opportunity to purchase a home that has been renovated to the highest standards by Nehemiah. It’s our way of thanking the men and women who serve or have served our nation and enabling them to participate in the freedom and dreams they preserve for all of us.
About Nehemiah Community Reinvestment Fund
Nehemiah Community Reinvestment Fund (NCRF) is a nonprofit, federally-certified community development financial institution (CDFI) and part of the growing opportunity finance industry. The NRCF provides capital and technical assistance to organizations working to revitalize low-income neighborhoods and provide housing, services and jobs to underserved people throughout the United States. Through creative, flexible financing and investments, NCRF makes capital available to community- and faith-based nonprofits, and mission based for-profit organizations that otherwise might be unable to obtain needed capital. http://www.ncrfund.org
