A Village of Support: The Klosek Family’s Story

Sometimes, the help we need comes from the most unexpected places. For Tim and Teri Klosek, that help came from a village of support that helped them transform their home — and their family’s future.

When the Kloseks made the decision to move from Florida to Upstate New York, they did it with one goal in mind — to build a better life for their two young children, Silas and Vaeda. They dreamed of creating a safe, happy home where their kids could grow and thrive.

They found that home in an older house full of potential — and plenty of projects. From the beginning, Tim and Teri knew it would take time, patience, and hard work to bring it back to life. Over the last three years, they poured their energy and savings into repairs, tackling each room one by one. But as they looked ahead to larger investments like new windows and siding, the costs started to feel overwhelming.

“Our windows were old and unsafe,” Tim explained. “Some wouldn’t even stay open unless we propped them up with a stick. It wasn’t safe for the kids, and the house wasn’t energy efficient.”

Even in those challenging moments, Teri held onto hope. “I believed we’d figure it out somehow,” she said. “I tried to stay positive.”

One day, Tim heard a radio ad about a HomeOwnershipCenter grant program that could help families with home repairs. When he mentioned it to Teri, she smiled and thought, “Maybe this is the help we’ve been praying for.”

They decided to apply, and the process moved quickly. “It was such a relief,” Tim shared. “The HomeOwnershipCenter team guided us from start to finish. It wasn’t stressful because we had someone on our side.”

During the renovation, testing revealed that the home had lead paint. Thankfully, Silas and Vaeda tested healthy, and the contractors were able to make the home lead-safe as part of the work.

“The improvements really propelled us forward in our plans and dreams for our home,” Teri said. “Help can come from unexpected places. People say it takes a village, and that’s exactly how this felt.”

Now, with new windows, new siding, and renewed peace of mind, the Klosek family feels proud, secure, and deeply grateful.

“We were stuck before this,” Tim reflected. “Now our home feels happy, healthy, and safe.”

Teri added, “We’d encourage anyone to have an open mind and ask for help when they need it. There’s nothing wrong with asking for assistance — sometimes that’s exactly what’s needed to move forward.”

The HomeOwnershipCenter – chartered in 1979 by NeighborWorks America; promotes housing and community development through programs such as Homebuyer Education and Financial Coaching, housing rehabilitation, and foreclosure prevention and intervention. Take the first step toward your housing goals today—contact the HOC team to learn how we can help!

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