Five powerful testimonies help mark FCH Utah County’s 5-year anniversary
Since becoming The Fuller Center for Housing’s first covenant partner in the state of Utah in 2019 (there are now four), The Fuller Center of Utah County has completed more than 121 home repair and yard refresh projects, making a real difference in the lives of nearly 300 individuals — including seniors, families with children, and people with disabilities.
This past weekend, they celebrated their five-year anniversary in typical FCH Utah County fashion — by going out and completing two more projects (see gallery at the end). Of course, they also celebrated with food, music and fun.
They also had time to reflect upon their journey as a community service organization and hear testimonies from some of the people to whom they’ve been able to extend a hand-up through the years.
Here are some of the testimonies their homeowner partners provided:
DAVID
In 2024, life had been feeling especially heavy for my wife and me. We both live with disabilities, and keeping up with things around the house and yard had become overwhelming. That’s when we heard about The Fuller Center through Meals on Wheels, and things began to change.
They organized a major yard clean-up and junk removal project, and the during the process volunteers found and salvaged our wedding photos and albums — memories we thought had been lost.
They didn’t stop there. Thanks to a donation from Lowe’s (who also sent volunteers), Fuller replaced our old swamp cooler — something we never could have done on our own. United Way and 20-30 volunteers all came together to make it happen. See all those people out here working, helping and caring was a true testament to what community really means.
There was a time that I felt like giving up. But witnessing that kind of support lifted both my spirit and my wife’s. We’re deeply grateful to The Fuller Center and Everyone who played a part in helping us feel seen, supported, and not so alone.
ELLA
Living on my own in a 110-year-old house comes with its share of challenges. On top of that, I live with a disability including an artificial leg and 13 bulging discs, which makes every day tasks a challenge.
In 2022, after one too many windstorms left shingles scattered in my year and the roof sagging with age, I didn’t know where to turn. I had asked for help before, but doors kept closing — until someone told me about The Fuller Center.
From the moment I connected with Ann (Coleman), everything changed. The Fuller Center replaced my roof just in time. (A snowstorm hit shortly after.) Without their help, I don’t know what would have happened. Ann was there every step of the way, advocating for me like family.
In 2024, The Fuller Center returned to convert my old tub into a shower — something I desperately needed but never thought I could afford. My brother, who I hadn’t been close to in years, offered to pay for the materials. Thanks to Fuller’s kindness and Ann’s heart, not only did I gain a safer bathroom, but I also found a renewed connection with my brother.
The support Fuller has given me is more than physical — it’s spiritual. They reminded me that I’m not alone, that community still exists and that hope can show up in the form of a caring organization. I am forever grateful.
JESSICA
I’m a single mom of three living in Orem. A while back, one of our bathrooms had a really bad mold and plumbing issue. I knew it wasn’t safe, especially for my kids, but I just didn’t have the money to hire someone to fix it. I felt stuck.
Then one day I saw a banner for The Fuller Center in a neighbor’s yard. I decided to reach out, not knowing what to expect. But right from the start, they were so kind and understanding. I was grateful that I had found people who were willing to help me.
They came in, fixed everything we needed, and set up a payment plan that I could actually manage. Thanks to them, I don’t have to worry about mold or my kids getting sick from it anymore.
The Fuller Center didn’t just fix our bathroom — they gave me peace of mind. I’m so thankful for what they’ve done for my family.
KATHERINE
When my two kids and I moved into our new home, the yard was in desperate need of attention, and it felt overwhelming trying to tackle everything on my own as a single mother. Thanks to the amazing team at The Fuller Center, along with the incredible community volunteers, our yard is now a beautiful, welcoming space. From cleaning up the junk to installing a retaining wall and laying down sod, I can’t thank everyone enough for their hard work and kindness.
I’d also like to give a special thank-you to Ann for connecting me with Brian. His expertise and dedication were absolutely invaluable in getting the project done. I’m so thankful for the generosity of everyone involved. And I’m truly blessed to have such a wonderful community supporting me. This experience has made such a positive impact on my kids and me. I will forever be grateful to all of you at The Fuller Center and the volunteers who made it all happen.
DAN
Two years ago, I suffered a stroke that left me disabled. Since then, I’ve also had a heart attack and kidney failure. My wife and I are doing our best to care for our adult daughter, who also lives with disabilities. Life had been incredibly difficult, and financially we’ve been stretched thin.
When a hailstorm in 2024 badly damaged our roof, we were left wondering how we’d ever afford to fix it. The storm ripped off the gutters and fascia and left our attic exposed. We didn’t know where to turn. I reached out to Orem city for help, and that’s when I was introduced to The Fuller Center. The Fuller Center became a lifeline. With the help of Ann and Fuller Center partners, including the roofing company, they not only repaired our roof but also helped advocate with our insurance company — something we couldn’t have done on our own.
Thanks to their kindness and dedication, we now have a solid roof over our heads. It’s more than just repairs — it’s peace of mind. For the first time in a long time, we can rest a little easier. I’m deeply grateful to The Fuller Center and everyone who stood beside us. They gave us hope when we needed it most.
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