Sweat equity lands UNMC employee new home

Theresa Grutel and her daughters recently moved into their new house.

There was only one thing missing when Theresa Grutel received the keys to her new home — a wheelchair ramp so her father could visit.

But, if history is any guide, Grutel will make that a reality too.

A clerical assistant in UNMC’s Department of Pharmacology and the Center for Neurovirology and Neurodegenerative Diseases (CNND), Grutel is a shining example of how personal determination and strong mentoring can make a difference.

“Buying a home of my own is a dream I never thought would come true,” Grutel said.

It wasn’t easy.

Determined to provide a better living situation, the single mother of two daughters applied for a Habitat for Humanity house three times and was denied twice because of her credit. On April 1, 2004, after six months of concentrated effort to improve her credit rating, Grutel was accepted into the program.

“As they say, the third time is a charm,” she said.

In accordance with Habitat for Humanity requirements, Grutel attended various orientation sessions and workshops on home ownership, weatherization and house repairs. She also put in more than 250 hours of sweat equity helping to build Habitat homes including her two-story house near Florence Boulevard and Ames Avenue.

Theresa Grutel and her daughters, Jalitha, left, and Javonna.

“I’ve done roofing, framing, siding, drywall, painting and caulking,” Grutel said, recalling the long weekends she spent rehabing the house. “I took Tuesdays off to work on my house until I ran out of vacation.”

During her recent home dedication ceremony, Grutel’s new living room – albeit absent any furniture – was filled with friends, family, neighbors and Habitat volunteers who helped her succeed. “Without Habitat for Humanity and the many volunteers, sponsors and friends, I probably wouldn’t be buying a house anytime soon,” said Grutel, who plans to volunteer on other Habitat projects.

Grutel’s CNND colleagues have seen her perseverance first-hand. Grutel joined the CNND on a part-time basis in 2001 after working at the UNMC Child Development Center since October 1999. By April 2002, she had earned her GED.

Robin Taylor, who remembers when Grutel couldn’t turn on a computer, has seen her blossom. “I’ve had the opportunity to watch her learn new office skills, organize the office and deal with diverse groups of people,” said Taylor, project coordinator in the department of pharmacology and CNND. “She is a real team player and always has an upbeat attitude. I am very proud of her accomplishments and know she will continue to live by the motto she’s adopted – I can, I will, I must. She is an example of hard work making dreams come true.”

Theresa Grutel welcomes guests to her new house during a Habitat for Humanity dedication ceremony.

Julie Ditter, administrator in UNMC’s Department of Pharmacology and CNND, lauds Grutel’s attitude and work ethic. “She’s always willing to go above and beyond what we ask,” she said. “She gives us so much back.”

Meanwhile, Grutel and her daughters are grateful for their three-bedroom house. “It’s not dark like the duplex we lived in, or tight and crowded,” Grutel said, as sunlight streamed in through large windows in the living room and front porch.

And once the wheelchair ramp is in place, Grutel has her sights on a new challenge: her first college courses.