Ginger Gates

Green Cactus Project is a low-to-no-cost home modification and repair program for low-income rural mobile homeowners of the elderly, military families, families with children, military veterans and individuals with service-connected disabilities.

In 2010, we moved to desert communities in Mohave County, Arizona and Southern Nevada where we became aware of the terrible living conditions of low-income mobile homeowners. Metal roofs, thin walls, single pane windows, corroded faucets and water-damaged floors made the homes as hot inside as out, which could lead to hyperthermia and even death.

Green Cactus Project was our answer to help these desperately poor homeowners. Together with grant funds and community skilled volunteers, we have helped 226 homeowners.

A growing trend is seniors raising their grandchildren. Fred P. is a Korean War veteran. He lives in a single-wide mobile home. His daughter is getting back on her feet. Meanwhile, Fred is proudly raising his two grandchildren. We and the Home Depot Team are working together to fix up Fred’s home, adding a patio. Imagine living in a 12 x 50 single-wide mobile then adding 10 x 30 living area. This is huge!!

We are an army of older volunteers. This area is a retirement area for snowbirds and retirees from California and other Western States. Our older volunteers can relate to our seniors. If they are veterans, elderly veterans listen to them on possible benefits and services. Older workers are dependable hard workers. Al is helping the widow of his friend, Larry. In December, Wells Fargo volunteers fixed up the home, exterior and yard. Steve S.is a retired plumber. He is a youngster at 65 years old. He helps to identify problems.

By making repairs, low-income mobile home residents are living in safer homes. The most vulnerable children and seniors are living healthier lives.

We have a long way to go, but it is amazing how far we have gone. We are working to develop an affordable green model for desert homes. If we can convert mobile homes into green homes, then homeowners can use natural resources to cool and heat their homes. Perhaps one day, we will build a green housing development for our seniors, military families and rural veterans.

Although I am 76 years young, I look to a bright future of bringing new solutions to old problems in rural communities.