Griffin Heights Senior's New Home a 'Blessing' from Tallahassee Urban League

An elderly Griffin Heights resident will soon return to her longtime home that was demolished and rebuilt thanks to a partnership between the Tallahassee Urban League (Tallahassee, FL) and the city of Tallahassee.

Evelyn Jiles Nix, 60, gently held her mother's hand, just as she did as a child. Her two brothers, Fredrick and Leander Jiles, stood nearby Thursday afternoon (March 21st) during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Their 89-year-old mother, Janie Jiles, quiet amid the commotion and excitement swirling around her, listened as her children thanked all those who helped her see this day.

The home Janie Jiles raised four children (one son wasn't present during the ceremony) and lived in since 1961 was no longer safe or suitable. Her son, Fredrick Jiles, 68, called the effort a "blessing of the Lord."

Last year, the Tallahassee Urban League repaired or rebuilt about 10 homes through its income-based partnership with the city. Curtis Taylor, who heads the organization, said he hopes to rehab or build 30 homes this year.

"We have so many of our senior citizens who are living in deplorable conditions," Taylor said. "I've been in so many houses where our seniors are on a fixed income. So, when the roof starts leaking, they can't afford to repair it or put a new one on. A lot of them pull out buckets. So, it's buckets all through the house, catching rainwater."

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