Meet The Clarkins, HFHNC Mineola project Partner Family

Mary, Kathleen, William, Michael, Timothy, and Theresa Clarkin all are developmentally disabled adults. Their five other siblings are their guardians and caretakers. Yes, there are 12 siblings in all. As the Clarkin family home is owned by a trust, three of the siblings—Rosemary, James, and Deborah—also act as trustees.

The family home was left to the seven siblings when their parents passed away many years ago. When the home fell in disrepair, NYS stepped in, promising to pay for any needed repairs. However, this deal fell apart when NYS changed its mind after the seven were moved into a rental home for the duration of the repairs. Soon after, Charles Hammerman, Chairman and CEO of the Disability Opportunity Fund [DOF], heard of the Clarkin family’s situation and quickly stepped in. The DOF has agreed to help the Clarkins with fundraising and financing of the materials needed to fix up the house and buy appliances.

With great thanks to the Disability Opportunity Fund thedof.org*, Habitat for Humanity of Nassau County now will be able to provide seven members of the Clarkin Family of Mineola with a repaired and updated family home, one they were all raised in. And one in which they all will reside.

*The Disability Opportunity Fund is the first and only national 501(c)(3) organization and certified community development finance institution solely committed to increasing the amount of quality, affordable, and suitable housing for people with disabilities.