Veteran Facing Home-Repair Emergency Finds Relief Through Operation Homefront
When Navy veteran Carmilita Ellis faced damage from a sewer line backup in her Maryland townhome last year, the mess and the looming repair costs felt overwhelming.
The deductible alone on her homeowner’s insurance policy was over $5,000.
“That’s a whole month’s worth of pay,” she said. “How are you supposed to pay your mortgage and bills?”
Injuries and chronic illness forced Carmilita to medically retire after 11 years of service, and she is no longer able to work outside the home. She relies on Veterans Affairs disability pay.
The home already needed 10 of its 15 windows and one door replaced because they were broken and causing higher energy costs. The household budget couldn’t stretch to cover emergency repairs.
After an exhaustive search for resources, Carmilita found Operation Homefront online. The organization’s Critical Financial Assistance (CFA) program provides financial help for military families facing repairs, overdue bills, and other critical family needs.
Since 2011, Operation Homefront has provided more than $33.5 million in financial assistance to fulfill nearly 50,000 unique requests for military families in need.
Learning her CFA application was approved brought relief for Carmilita. The strain of a home repair crisis, along with stresses in her personal life, had exacerbated her service-related issues.
“I felt like I was being crushed and suffocated,” she said. “I feel grateful they had the heart to say yes.”
She worked as a medical technician and earned the rank of petty officer third class. Along the way, she made history. A Naval Historical Foundation book includes a photo of Carmilita singing during an Easter service aboard the USS Holland. She also served aboard the USS Nimitz.
Joining the military was Carmilita’s goal starting in elementary school, and she even predicted she would make history. She enlisted in the Navy while in high school and started basic training in 1993.
Separating was disappointing and difficult, said Carmilita, who also lives with PTSD.
“My dream was to be in my full 20 years,” she said.
With the extensive repairs complete, Carmilita is enjoying her restored home. She is grateful to have the plumbing fixed and energy-efficient doors and windows that function correctly. To express her appreciation for Operation Homefront and its donors, she spreads the word to other veterans and military families about Operation Homefront.
“You have no idea what a difference you’ve made in my life and what a burden you’ve lifted.”
