“Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.”

Josias and Leona Robinson are a senior couple living in the Riverside Village Mobile Home Park in the city of Riverside. The Robinsons has lived in this home for thirty years and Mr. Robinson is a retired painter from La Sierra University.

The Robinsons live on a fixed income and even though they receive Social Security and a small pension, they are not able to afford a new paint job. The Robinsons are both enjoying retirement, however; the aches and pains that sometimes come with it have brought on harsh times. The home’s exterior walls were stained with grim and dirt and the trim of the home was very faded. It had not been painted for over 15 years. The Robinson’s home was in serious need of some TLC.

It was a beautiful sunny November morning, the eve of Thanksgiving, and the volunteers could not have asked for better weather and a the homeowners could not have asked for a better example of giving thanks. As the volunteers gathered in the front of the home they recieved the projects instructions. Everyone was assigned to their tasks and all sides of the home began to have paint brushed upon it. As soon as the new greyish paint touched the exterior walls, it was a noticeable change for the better.

Dr. Sean Jasso and his MBA students from the University of California Riverside UCR came out early to help paint the Robinson’s home. Several of the student volunteers had painted with Habitat for Humanity Riverside HFHR before; however, for most of the student volunteers this was their first time working with HFHR on A Brush With Kindness ABWK project. Dr. Jasso’s students have been partnering with HFHR since 2011. Denise Garcia, a recent Habitat homeowner in Jurupa Valley, also helped paint the home. The hours that Denise Garcia painted are toward her sweat equity requirements.

After the paint day was finished, the student volunteers met the Robinsons and gave the couple a small gift to show their appreciation for having the opportunity to help them. The Robinsons were very grateful and thanked every member on the project site. They will truly have a Thanksgiving holiday to remember. It brings a smile to my face knowing that Mr. Robinson had a career as a painter at a University and now University students have painted his home. May we never forget to give thanks to those who lend a hand and to those who recieve it.