New Stairs for the Steinmaus Family

Stacy Steinmaus is a low-income single mother raising four children. In 2011, Stacy’s father helped her purchase a home in East St. Paul, eight blocks from his own home. After living in subsidized housing, having a place to call their own provided the Steinmaus family with an invaluable sense of stability, and Stacy says her children were thrilled to finally have their own yard to play in. 

Shortly after moving in, Stacy noticed that the stairs leading down to the basement had started to deteriorate. Already dangerously narrow and steep, Stacy knew that any further decline to the condition of the steps would make the basement altogether inaccessible. Having a medical condition that makes walking extremely difficult for her, Stacy was already unable to go down to the basement to do laundry.

Knowing that something had to be done, Stacy contacted Habitat for Humanity, which connected her to the A Brush with Kindness program. After finding out that she had been accepted to receive assistance, Stacy felt extremely relieved and thankful. A Brush with Kindness was able to build new stairs in the Steinmaus home, and Stacy is no longer concerned for her family’s safety.

While the A Brush with Kindness team performed the necessary repairs, Stacy noticed and shared her appreciation for the professionalism demonstrated by the staff and volunteers:

“They were cleaner and friendlier than any private contractor."

The kindness and respect Stacy felt throughout her entire experience with A Brush with Kindness is something she will never forget. With the stress of her stairs now gone, Stacy is able to focus on taking steps toward opening her own photography business, and turning her passion for the art form into a lucrative resource for her family.