By: Hanna Guerrero

May 14, 2026 – At 92 years old, Alice Watkins has built a life defined by resilience, routine, and community. For more than 30 years, she has called Casa Heritage, The Resurrection Project’s (TRP) affordable housing development in Melrose Park, home.  

The 142-unit complex consists of seven two-story buildings and offers a mix of studio and one-bedroom apartments. Ms. Alice’s second-floor studio serves as her home base as she continues to live and thrive alongside her Casa Heritage community. She enjoys “getting her steps in” by taking walks outside, and when she’s at home, she likes watching game shows and court TV. 

Ms. Alice moved to Illinois from Tennessee and, with the help of her niece, found Casa Heritage. What began as a search for a place to live became a life rooted in community, where she could live out her golden years.     

Small Acts of Care

Over the decades, she has watched property managers come and go. But with her current property manager, Jorge Camacho Jr., Ms. Alice has formed a bond that goes beyond routine maintenance requests.

Their relationship is built on small but meaningful acts of care. 

“I like checking in with Ms. Alice,” said Jorge. “I’ll be coming in, and she’ll already be outside her door, ready. I’ll say, ‘Good morning, Ms. Alice. How are you?’ She’s like, ‘I’m good, can you do me a little favor?’” 

For Ms. Alice, those small favors can make all the difference. Jorge helps her collect her mail, takes out her garbage, and assists her as she carefully walks down the stairs. 

Their friendship began with a simple knock at the door two summers ago. 

Jorge introduced himself as the new property manager for Casa Heritage, and he explained he was checking in to make sure her air conditioning was on and working properly. From that simple check-in, a relationship built on trust and care soon blossomed.  

As time has gone on, Ms. Alice’s niece has been able to “step in a little bit more” to help her, but when her niece isn’t around, Ms. Alice knows she can lean on Jorge. 

Ms. Alice describes Jorge simply: “He’s the best.” 

Ms. Alice has no plans to move out of Casa Heritage despite her niece’s offering to move her into her mother’s house. Ms. Alice fondly describes living at Casa Heritage as “serenity.” 

Community, Celebration, and Care

Ms. Alice has a community around her. Neighbors, staff, and her niece form a circle of support that keeps her from ever feeling truly alone. 

Last year, her neighbors surprised her with a birthday celebration in the community room. They gathered, sang “Happy Birthday,” and made sure she was celebrated. She still keeps the balloons from her 92nd birthday on her wall.    

Ms. Alice also talks about how her niece helped clean her apartment, making sure everything felt fresh and in order. Afterward, she called Jorge and invited him to “come check out the house,” proud to share the moment. 

These little moments of neighbors in a community room, staff checking AC units in the summer, and balloons taped to the wall are the everyday expressions of what it means to love where you live. 

Quiet Blessings and Deep Gratitude

Ms. Alice’s life at Casa Heritage is also grounded in faith. 

She mentions her health challenges and gestures to the Life Alert device that is around her neck in case she falls. Through it all, she says simply and confidently: 

“God always picks me up. Yeah, always.” 

For her, the story of Casa Heritage is not just about brick and mortar or leases and units. It has been a place to age with dignity, independence, and the comfort of knowing someone is always nearby to lend a helping hand. 

Ms. Alice’s story serves as a shining example of what happens when residents are not just housed, but seen, supported, and celebrated. That sense of home—rooted in community and healthy relationships—is what TRP strives for with every one of our residents. 

That’s what it truly means to love where you live.  

To learn more about TRP’s affordable rental units, visit our website www.resurrectionproject.org.  

#

About The Resurrection Project

The Resurrection Project (TRP) builds trusting relationships to educate and propel individuals, immigrants, and families to achieve their social and economic aspirations, stable homes, and equitable participation in their community. TRP is a leading provider of affordable housing, financial education, and immigration services on Chicago’s Southwest side.

During the past three decades, TRP has worked to improve the lives of individuals and families by creating wealth, building assets, and engaging residents to be catalysts for change. Rooted in the Pilsen community, TRP’s impact now extends across the City of Chicago and through the State of Illinois; we are making steady progress towards leveraging and preserving more than $1 billion in community wealth.