Just over a year ago, Heidi Aviles quit her job, sold her house, and relocated to Iowa City with her three children to help take care of her mother who was sick. Aviles spent nearly all of her life’s savings on the move, only to be misled about the conditions of her family’s new home.

Colorado-based nonprofit organization Impact Cares has been renovating homes across the country for those in need, and earlier this month, it surprised Aviles with a new and improved home in Iowa City after Aviles and her three children spent the past year living in poor conditions.

Aviles recounted visiting her newly-bought trailer before moving in, when it was furnished and decorated with multiple large rugs, wall decorations, and plants.

Arriving shortly after to move in, the family noticed holes in the flooring and walls, as well as an infestation of cockroaches.

“I had to put pieces of plywood on the floor because I was scared that the floor was going to cave in,” Aviles said. “It didn’t matter how much I [bug] bombed the house or sprayed, it’s just piles and piles of roaches and it would be the same the next day.”

The living conditions were so bad that Aviles didn’t allow Heidi’s mother into the home, fearing she would fall through the floor. Making sure everyone had cotton in their ears became a nightly routine after multiple hospital visits to remove bugs as well.

Aviles was in contact with the property’s management team about the living conditions before Impact Cares shared the good news.

Hosting a community dinner in the area last month, the nonprofit was introduced to Aviles and began preparing to repair her home. After an initial walk-through of the home, the organization decided it was beyond repair.

The organization then became aware of an abandoned trailer in the area, which they purchased and renovated for the Aviles family.

Tory Wilson, project manager at Impact Cares, said they were able to help others in the area with small home projects leading up to the big reveal of the Aviles home.

“The relief in a mother’s eyes to know that she is going to be able to put her kids in a good, safe home – it’s the best feeling in the world,” Wilson said.

Cindy Schwalm and her husband have worked with the organization for over five years. The couple works with other volunteers on the homes, cleaning, painting, and repairing appliances that are no longer functioning.

Schwalm said the experience is gratifying, as well as heartbreaking.

“You know that you’ve only helped one and there’s so many more that you couldn’t get to because you don’t know about them,” she said.

The home was presented to the Aviles family on Oct. 14 with a grand reveal.

“I was like my kids, screaming for joy and crying because I couldn’t believe it,” Aviles said. “I never thought that they had this in mind.”