A Teacher and Homeowner for Decades: Meet Phyllis
Phyllis is a proud special education educator who has taught in the Indianapolis public school system for more than 30 years. Throughout her career, she has shared an important lesson with her students that she continues to carry with her today: the power of adding the word “yet."
When her students become frustrated or discouraged by something they are struggling to do, Phyllis reminds them that they may not be able to do it yet.
It’s a simple lesson, but one that has stayed with many of her students long after they left the classroom. In fact, years later, Phyllis ran into one of her former students who excitedly told her that they still remember adding “yet” whenever they faced an obstacle.
“Saying 'can’t' is something that we should delete from our vocabulary. And if we do say 'can’t', we shouldn’t say it without adding ‘yet.’”
Phyllis has spent her career encouraging her students to believe in what they can accomplish. At home, she and her husband, Paul, have created that same sense of encouragement and belonging for their family and for others who may need a little extra guidance, support, or love.
Their home has always been a safe and welcoming place, filled with years of joyful memories and family gatherings.
Phyllis and Paul have lived in their home for nearly 20 years. For Phyllis, it’s more than just a house. It’s part of what she describes as a “true neighborhood”. She knows her neighbors. She has watched kids grow up around her. And after nearly two decades, the neighborhood has become an important part of the life she and Paul have built together.
But over the past several years, critical repair needs began making it harder for their home to feel as secure and comfortable as it once had. Their aging home needed roof repairs, accessibility modifications, and a new water heater.
That’s where Home Repairs for Good was able to step in.
Through critical repairs, Home Repairs for Good has helped reduce the burden of maintaining their aging home and allowed Phyllis and Paul to continue making memories in the place they’ve called home for so many years.
Check out the video below to hear from Phyllis herself and learn how Home Repairs for Good has helped her and her family continue to make their house a home.
For Phyllis, one of the most important messages she wants others to hear is that it’s okay to ask for help and seek out resources.
“Don’t be afraid,” she says.
By being willing to ask for help, Phyllis and her family were able to reduce the burden of critical repairs and make their home safer and more comfortable.
Through her work with students, Phyllis has learned that everyone faces obstacles in life. We all have different abilities and challenges, and we all have something to learn from one another.
As Phyllis puts it: “Everyone holds a piece of the puzzle.”
Her students have taught her lessons about compassion, determination, and the importance of helping others. Most of all, they’ve reminded her that life isn’t something we have to face alone.
That’s a message she hopes to share with anyone considering volunteering or donating to Home Repairs for Good.
“For humanity’s sake, and for personal satisfaction that you didn’t even know or realize that you need it. Making time, taking opportunities to extend not only your spirit and your enthusiasm, but your time helping others is the most gratifying thing you can possibly do.”
For Phyllis, helping others has always been about showing up, offering encouragement, and believing in what’s possible, even if it starts with simply adding the word “yet” to our vocabulary.
If you are inspired by Phyllis’s story as a teacher and homeowner and want to jump in to support our mission, consider checking out our volunteer opportunities or making a gift to our $100,000 matching campaign. Every dollar raised will be matched, helping fund more than 100 critical repairs for older homeowners right here in Indianapolis.
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