Help Vanessa & Darren Chester-Faulk Rebuild Home

Humbly we are asking you to join us as we raise funds to help the Faulk-Chester Family begin to start rebuilding their lives and get some normalcy back.  This traumatic experience, in the midst of a pandemic helps you realize what is truly important in life; family, helping others, your health, your faith and a happy home.  Help us, to Help the Faulk-Chester Family whose ministry is to help others in times of need.

We would like to thank you in advance for all your kindness and your prayers for our family.

Last Friday, February 12, 2021, my family received a frantic call from my sister Vanessa and her husband Darren, indicating that the entire family had to abruptly evacuate the house because fire and smoke was raging through the home. Thankfully everyone in the house was able to escape safely.  Thank God for Vanessa’s son, Malik was able to carry his disabled aunt Stephanie down the smoke-filled stairs to safety, with her health aide following closely behind.  Both family pets, “Pepper” the cat and “Camo” the friendly dog, are both safe. 

The fire started in the basement and quickly spread throughout the house and between the walls of the 3 story house. The fire destroyed their newly renovated kitchen, living, dining and bedroom furniture.  Their school computer equipment, TVs and everything else flammable in its path was also lost.  Other than some smoky clothing that the family grabbed on the way out of the house, they are left with nothing.  Material THINGS are just stuff and can be replaced, but their lives cannot.  When you think things can’t get any worst, Darren’s car transmission dies at a time when they really need it.  God saw fit to keep them safe to continue the ministry he has laid out for them.

Vanessa and Darren have always selflessly lived their lives helping friends and family, always reaching out to people in their community, by cooking meals, assisting family/friends in planning and coordinating their funerals, celebrations and opening their home to those who need temporary housing, ignoring their own struggles and financial burdens.  Vanessa and her daughter, Sade both work for the NY Public School System in Special Education High Schools in the Queens.  Darren, the backbone of the family has worked as a Professional Construction worker for many years and contributed to the rebuilding of the new World Trade Center and has recently retired. Our nephew Malik also works at a Childcare Center as a custodian and is a part-time caretaker for his aunt.  When Stephanie became disabled and bed-ridden, Vanessa & Darren stepped up to become her full time caretakers.

The Red Cross has worked with the family to acquire temporary housing and other services. The family is currently staying in a hotel and Stephanie is staying with her cousin Marie to provide a stable, familiar home like environment. 

The fire took nearly all of their personal items, food, and all of Stephanie’s medical furniture, equipment and supplies. They are awaiting the Insurance Company’s estimate of damages and what is covered by their insurance.  The funds will be used to help the family with their immediate needs while in temporary lodging and will include lodging for 5, clothes, food, medical equipment, automobile repair and other essentials.