#GetTamiHome
Donation protected
Our mom, Tami Grove, needs help.
Of course, she would never ask for it, which is why my sister and I have started this GoFundMe campaign. Tami lost her beautiful home on February 8, 2017 when the river near it flooded, completely engulfing the structure and most everything in it.
(poor quality video day of flood)
(back of house day of flood)
Though flood insurance covered some of her immediate losses, she learned that in this new world of 100-year floods happening every few years, she’d have to elevate the house to ensure its safety from future floods. Knowing that she had to remain in Santa Cruz for her employment, that selling a flooded-out home would be a significant loss, and that she could not compete in the current local market place where the median home and apartment prices are some of the highest in the country (due to recent influx of commuters from silicon valley), she decided that repairing her home was the best option. It wasn’t an easy choice, but you know our mom! She picked herself up, created a plan, did her due diligence, believed she had the funds to make it work and pushed forward.
We all know Tami to be one of the most remarkable women ever. Her strength, independence, and kindness, have not only enabled her to be a fantastic single mom and example to my sister Claire and me, but also to accomplish so many remarkable things in her career--and to be a great friend to all of you. However, this housing challenge has become overwhelming and we are worried for her health. Permitting took three times longer than anticipated--1.5 years—and cost nearly $40K in studies, engineering, design and fees. She also had to take on many other staggering expenses like storage of her salvaged contents, as well as the clean-up of mud, mildew and other flooding problems. In addition, her final permit requirements and material costs increased more than double the original estimates in the intervening year [after the contractors were well into their jobs].
The house is now finally raised and secure from flooding, so we’re close! Sadly, though, our Mom has exhausted all her funds trying to make the house livable and pass all final building permit inspections (a house that she has never stopped paying mortgage, homeowners fees and property taxes on.) The unexpected delays and cost increases put the overall project substantially over its original budget, draining Tami’s 401K retirement, loan credit and savings accounts. She has nothing left beyond her monthly paycheck and has been house sitting and staying with friends who have generously given her a room to live the past two years. My sister and I have done everything financially that we can to help. Given this stress on our family, Claire and I feel that it’s time to reach out to our Mom’s community of friends, acquaintances, past school alums, and work associates, to ask for help through this campaign to finally #GetTamiHome. She is a mother so loving and hardworking that, at the very least, she deserves to live in her own home.
The minimum cost to get her back into a home is $60,000; Tami already has paid over $190,000 and owes another $50,000 in outstanding bills for the house. Right now, we are trying to raise $30,000 to contribute to these needs. There are several steps left that have substantial costs to make the house livable - including all flooring, sheet rocking, propane, kitchen and bathroom, roof gutters and building back porch stairs (another requirement by the fire code) and more. Tami is still working over full-time, and is continuing to finance as much as possible while putting Claire through college at Cal Poly SLO the next two and a half years.
We hope you understand that she needs our help, and just maybe it’s possible to get her home if we all come together. This ordeal has taken such a toll on her, my sister and I want to bring her home. We are deeply grateful for the kindness, generosity, and love so many have shown us over these last two years. Please know that, any donation, no matter its size, will be met with this same gratitude and love.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Let's #GetTamiHome.
Jenna & Claire
Some photos of the house:
(Her Bedroom)
(Living Room)
(Study)
(Bathroom)
Of course, she would never ask for it, which is why my sister and I have started this GoFundMe campaign. Tami lost her beautiful home on February 8, 2017 when the river near it flooded, completely engulfing the structure and most everything in it.
(poor quality video day of flood)
(back of house day of flood)Though flood insurance covered some of her immediate losses, she learned that in this new world of 100-year floods happening every few years, she’d have to elevate the house to ensure its safety from future floods. Knowing that she had to remain in Santa Cruz for her employment, that selling a flooded-out home would be a significant loss, and that she could not compete in the current local market place where the median home and apartment prices are some of the highest in the country (due to recent influx of commuters from silicon valley), she decided that repairing her home was the best option. It wasn’t an easy choice, but you know our mom! She picked herself up, created a plan, did her due diligence, believed she had the funds to make it work and pushed forward.
We all know Tami to be one of the most remarkable women ever. Her strength, independence, and kindness, have not only enabled her to be a fantastic single mom and example to my sister Claire and me, but also to accomplish so many remarkable things in her career--and to be a great friend to all of you. However, this housing challenge has become overwhelming and we are worried for her health. Permitting took three times longer than anticipated--1.5 years—and cost nearly $40K in studies, engineering, design and fees. She also had to take on many other staggering expenses like storage of her salvaged contents, as well as the clean-up of mud, mildew and other flooding problems. In addition, her final permit requirements and material costs increased more than double the original estimates in the intervening year [after the contractors were well into their jobs].
The house is now finally raised and secure from flooding, so we’re close! Sadly, though, our Mom has exhausted all her funds trying to make the house livable and pass all final building permit inspections (a house that she has never stopped paying mortgage, homeowners fees and property taxes on.) The unexpected delays and cost increases put the overall project substantially over its original budget, draining Tami’s 401K retirement, loan credit and savings accounts. She has nothing left beyond her monthly paycheck and has been house sitting and staying with friends who have generously given her a room to live the past two years. My sister and I have done everything financially that we can to help. Given this stress on our family, Claire and I feel that it’s time to reach out to our Mom’s community of friends, acquaintances, past school alums, and work associates, to ask for help through this campaign to finally #GetTamiHome. She is a mother so loving and hardworking that, at the very least, she deserves to live in her own home.
The minimum cost to get her back into a home is $60,000; Tami already has paid over $190,000 and owes another $50,000 in outstanding bills for the house. Right now, we are trying to raise $30,000 to contribute to these needs. There are several steps left that have substantial costs to make the house livable - including all flooring, sheet rocking, propane, kitchen and bathroom, roof gutters and building back porch stairs (another requirement by the fire code) and more. Tami is still working over full-time, and is continuing to finance as much as possible while putting Claire through college at Cal Poly SLO the next two and a half years.
We hope you understand that she needs our help, and just maybe it’s possible to get her home if we all come together. This ordeal has taken such a toll on her, my sister and I want to bring her home. We are deeply grateful for the kindness, generosity, and love so many have shown us over these last two years. Please know that, any donation, no matter its size, will be met with this same gratitude and love.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Let's #GetTamiHome.
Jenna & Claire
Some photos of the house:
(Her Bedroom)(Living Room)(Study)(Bathroom)Organizer and beneficiary
Jenna DeSmith
Organizer
Santa Cruz, CA
Tami Grove
Beneficiary