Anthony Woods had been in need of a new roof for several years.
“My roof was deteriorating,” he said. “I had several roofers come out for estimates, and I was just praying somebody would give me a break, but the price was too much for me. It got to the point where I was thinking about looking up YouTube tutorials and trying to do something on my own, because you could see light coming in through the roof. And then I got that phone call from Habitat … it was like a blessing straight out of the sky.”
Anthony is the primary caregiver for his aging mother, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy. After struggling to find work that could support them financially while also allowing the flexibility to care for her, he took a job as a truck driver. Though the job covers their basic living expenses, it left no room for major home repairs.
That’s where Habitat for Humanity of Wake County stepped in.
Habitat Wake’s home preservation department partners with Preserving Homes (formerly Rebuilding Together of the Triangle) and other local housing providers to assess repair applications and identify good fits for our program. In the last twelve months, our team has completed around 80 critical home repairs. These are projects such as roof replacements, HVAC installations, ramps and other essential improvements that help keep homes safe and livable.
What made Anthony’s repair especially meaningful was the partnership that brought it to life. Guardian Roofing, a local company, stepped in to donate the full roof replacement. Their generous contribution allowed Habitat’s construction team to focus instead on upgrading Anthony’s siding, which was also in need of renovation.
Thanks to Guardian Roofing’s expertise, the new roof was completed in a single day.
“We’ve been really grateful for the community here in Raleigh, so when we’re able to give back, we love to,” said River Mark, one of the owners of Guardian Roofing. Outside of this project, the company supports other community causes, including the Many Hopes initiative, which provides a roof for a child in need with every roof sold.
Throughout the morning, the Guardian crew spent time with Anthony and could tell how much the project meant to him.
“The roof is the most important aspect of the house,” River said. “It protects everything below it. It’s the least we can do for him and his mother.”
Anthony stayed outside for most of the morning, watching in amazement as the new roof took shape.
“This takes a lot of pressure off me,” he said. “It’s going to help me and my mom so much. I want to keep her home...I don’t want to send her to a nursing home if I can help it.”
Home repairs like this are a vital part of Habitat Wake’s mission to prevent displacement and ensure families can remain in safe, affordable homes. For Anthony and his mother, this repair offers not just shelter, but peace of mind and years to come under one roof.
Thank you to the team at Guardian Roofing for making this possible.