Everything begins at home – a healthy society begins
with a healthy, sanitary home environment.
Marva Bodden - whose story is featured below - is among the numerous individuals who are in desperate need of ARK's CASA program to improve housing conditions for people and families living in crisis. The program focuses particularly on tackling housing that is unsuitable, unsafe, and unfit for the elderly, infirm, and children.
The R3 Foundation generously has agreed to match donations for ARK's CASA projects, up to $250,000. The donation must be made directly to R3 for the match to be applied.
If you are able and willing to help you can do so directly by contributing to the R3 Cayman Foundation at the following accounts, marking “CASA Project” in the beneficiary field:
Butterfield Bank
US$ Account # 8401758030030
KYD Account # 1361758030040
Special thanks to the Cayman Compass for its series of articles calling attention to the issue: https://www.caymancompass.com/community/caymans-ark-housing-crisis-a-plea-for-help/
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Construction of Marva's home would cost approximately $80,000 - and an additional $1,500 per month for rent in the meantime (plus utilities and food). This cost will be reduced significantly with donations of building supplies and furnishings, skilled labour, and the time of other volunteers.
Back in the early 40’s growing up in Cayman was tough. My dad was a shoemaker and my mom a housewife so funds were limited. My dad through hard work and countless hours spent in his work shop repairing shoes, was able to save enough money to build a home for his family.
After the death of my parents, I continued to live in the family home until it was destroyed by fire on July 17, 2020, leaving me with only the shirt on my back. Through some close family and friends, I came to hear about ARK and reached out to them for help. I found a caring person in Ms. Tara Nielsen of ARK, who has been working really hard on finding the funds to build a new home for me. My prayer is that through the kind generosity of our community, I will be in my home by Christmas.
God Bless,
Marva Edna Bodden
Architect drawings of the home that ARK plans to build for Marva to replace the burnt structure - provided pro bono by Arco Architectural Services :
