DELANO, CA- In the middle of a Delano neighborhood sits an empty lot that once had an abandoned home, a place that attracted crime.
"We've had people coming to the council meetings for many months, even years complaining about the houses that will attract people that are using drugs, that get drunk, that pass out there," said Delano Mayor Grace Vallejo.
Seven abandoned homes were demolished in Delano between February and May, with the help of more than $150,000 donated by Wells Fargo, to Self-Help Enterprises.
"Self-Help Enterprises is a private non-profit corporation that works to improve living conditions throughout the San Joaquin Valley," said Vice President of Self-Help Enterprises, Tom Collishaw.
Wednesday was the official check presentation, but the money was actually given to Self-Help back in February.
Vallejo says there are about six abandoned homes left in the city. But, those will have to stand until the city can get more money.
Also benefiting from the grant is the Ellington Community Center.
It serves as a senior center and has welcomed additional seniors since the Jefferson Senior Center burned a year ago.
"The single and sole community center in the City of Delano currently is in need of a dramatic facelift," said Collishaw.
Improvements to the 50-year-old building include exterior refacing and painting.
"The wish to have this redone to the outside not only for our own pride in our community, but for the kids and their pride showing up to something that the walls aren't peely," said Vallejo.
Self-Help Enterprises hopes the owners of the lots sell the properties back to the city so new homes can be built where the abandoned properties once stood.
"We've had people coming to the council meetings for many months, even years complaining about the houses that will attract people that are using drugs, that get drunk, that pass out there," said Delano Mayor Grace Vallejo.
Seven abandoned homes were demolished in Delano between February and May, with the help of more than $150,000 donated by Wells Fargo, to Self-Help Enterprises.
"Self-Help Enterprises is a private non-profit corporation that works to improve living conditions throughout the San Joaquin Valley," said Vice President of Self-Help Enterprises, Tom Collishaw.
Wednesday was the official check presentation, but the money was actually given to Self-Help back in February.
Vallejo says there are about six abandoned homes left in the city. But, those will have to stand until the city can get more money.
Also benefiting from the grant is the Ellington Community Center.
It serves as a senior center and has welcomed additional seniors since the Jefferson Senior Center burned a year ago.
"The single and sole community center in the City of Delano currently is in need of a dramatic facelift," said Collishaw.
Improvements to the 50-year-old building include exterior refacing and painting.
"The wish to have this redone to the outside not only for our own pride in our community, but for the kids and their pride showing up to something that the walls aren't peely," said Vallejo.
Self-Help Enterprises hopes the owners of the lots sell the properties back to the city so new homes can be built where the abandoned properties once stood.