Meet your CHR neighbor
Kelly Collini, executive director of Community Housing & Resources (CHR), appreciates residents who help out with the multitude of tasks that keep the affordable housing program running smoothly.
Such is the case of Yleana Way and her brother, Richie Rosado.
Both emigrated to Sanibel from the Yucatan and both take time from Way’s thriving cleaning business to ready CHR units for new tenants.
She first came here about 40 years ago, but returned home after a brief stay. About three years later, she returned with her mother, Hilda, and both found work in the hospitality field. Way married a charter boat captain, Jerry Way, but when he died in 2010 she was faced with the prospect of having to move to the mainland because she could no longer afford to live on Sanibel.
Instead, she applied for CHR housing and was eventually accepted into the program. She shares an apartment with Rosado, who moved to Sanibel a few years after she did. Their now elderly mother lives nearby, also in CHR housing.
CHR’s Collini is grateful to have them in the program.
“Yleana and Richie are model residents, who insist on volunteering to clean units before new tenants move in. And Richie often surprises us with a plate of his awesome home baked pastries. It’s their way of giving back to CHR, and thanking us for providing an affordable way to live on Sanibel. We really appreciate their hard work on behalf of CHR,” said Collini.
CHR is a non-profit organization that has partnered for more than 30 years with the City of Sanibel to provide affordable housing for people who live and/or work on the island, plus senior and disabled Sanibel citizens. With 150 island residents in eleven rental complexes and fourteen limited-equity ownership homes throughout the island, CHR is an essential resource for those who provide the services all islanders want to enjoy. CHR residents also contribute in numerous ways to island life and often volunteer for and lead island organizations.
CHR depends on donations to help cover the ongoing maintenance, refurbishment and repair of CHR buildings and grounds. For more information, visit sanibelchr.org, stop by their office at 2401 Library Way, or phone 472-1189.