Harvey Mayor Steps Up to Help Displaced Senior Return Home After Devastating Loss

Harvey Mayor Steps Up to Help Displaced Senior Return Home After Devastating Loss

HARVEY, Ill. – For Rev. Alma West, home has always been more than just a place—it’s been her sanctuary for nearly 50 years. But for the past several weeks, the 86-year-old grandmother has been unable to return to the house she’s called home since 1975.

A devastating fire on January 10, 2025, destroyed the property next door, leaving her home in need of critical repairs. Though her insurance company has approved the work, her contractor has been unable to proceed because the burned-out structure sits too close, making access impossible.

After enduring one hardship after another—including the loss of her only son on April 7, 2024, a grueling 10-hour surgery, and finally returning home on December 31, 2024, only to be displaced again just days later—Rev. West found herself at a breaking point. She reached out to the City of Harvey, hoping for a solution, but the city simply didn’t have the immediate funds to cover the demolition.

That’s when Mayor Christopher J. Clark decided to step in—not as a politician, but as a neighbor who couldn’t bear to see her suffer any longer.

“This isn’t just about knocking down a building—it’s about restoring Rev. West’s dignity, security, and peace of mind,” Mayor Clark said. “She’s been through so much already, and I refuse to stand by while she continues to suffer. She deserves to be home, and if I’m able to help, I will.”

For Rev. West, the mayor’s actions were nothing short of an answered prayer.

"God put it in Mayor Clark’s heart to do this—he didn’t have to. Nobody else stepped up to help me, but he did. I thank God for him being steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord. Forget the politics—he did this because it was the right thing to do."

By stepping in to cover the costs upfront, Mayor Clark is making it possible for demolition to begin without further delay, allowing Rev. West’s much-needed home repairs to finally move forward.

The City Council passed a resolution agreeing to reimburse Mayor Clark when funds become available, but the mayor insisted on moving forward immediately so that Rev. West’s long-overdue home repairs could begin.

Mayor Clark remains committed to helping residents in need and ensuring that stories like Rev. West’s don’t go unheard.


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