Community Rebuilds Aberdeen Woman's Home

Charitable, volunteer groups this week helped make a small part of an Aberdeen woman’s dream come true. 

It was the culminating efforts of the Harford Chamber Business Resource Network, the Arc of Northern Chesapeake Region and Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna, which led to Rita Custer’s home repairs. 

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Together the organizations built her a new deck, fixed a damaged door and installed safety ramps to make it easier for her to get around following her second stroke. 

“Rita Custer, Aberdeen resident, has always been self-reliant,” according to a release from Habitat for Humanity. “Custer, a former assistant manager a Rite Aid Pharmacy, is currently living on unemployment due to prolonged illness. She is also raising two sons – ages 11 and 16.

“Her oldest, Justin, has Down’s syndrome and is the victim of bullying in his own back yard,” the release continues. “For many years, Custer’s only wish has been for a place where her sons could play in safety. Justin is a client of the Arc Northern Chesapeake region, and after his mother suffered two strokes, the organization stepped up to help.”

It was Julie Chmura, director of development at the Arc, who presented the idea of building a deck before the Harford Chamber of Business Resource Network. And it was Joe Hurley, owner of Hurley World Travel and a member of Habitat for Humanity’s Susquehanna board of directors who suggest a partnership with Habitat’s Repair Program, the release states. 

Custer’s humble home qualified for emergency repairs, weatherization and accessibility ramps. 

This past Saturday, Lavender Hill Craftsmen, volunteers from the HCBRN and Habitat, and Custer’s relatives gathered together to build a new deck for the family. They also fixed a damaged door and installed a ramp to make it easier for Custer to get around.

“The project was funded primarily through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program,” the release states. “Harford County Government, Department of Community Services, awarded the CDBG funds to Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna to allow low-income homeowners to receive up to $5,000 for critical repairs.  Funding was also drawn from donations from members of the HCBRN, and from United Way of Central Maryland."

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