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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-24-1995 (REPAIR AFFAIR) Repair Affair Southern Indiana Pilot Event June 24, 1995 A report prepared for: City of Jeffersonville Contents: Section i -- Individual house reports Section 2 -- Communications Section 3 --Evaluation results Section 4 -- Budget Our community is encountering two disturbing trends--an aging population and deteriorating housing stock. Many elderly cite the failures of their homes, not their bodies, as the primary reason they enter nursing home care. Repair Affair mobilizes community-wide resources and volunteer support to help meet the housing repair needs of elderly and physically disabled homeowners of low income. These community resources include organized volunteerism, corporate and congregational sponsorships, private donations and public support. On Saturday, June 24, over 200 volunteers in Southern Indiana united to help 12 elderly and disabled homeowners through an extraordinary one-day effort. This report is a summary of the work and caring that made this day memorable in Jeffersonville, New Albany and Clarksville. Section I -- Individual House reports Not alone, anymore Goldie and Debbie Purcell live at 1524 Elm Street. Debbie says that caring for her mom, who is confined to bed, is a full-time job. The team from Community Bank(with a National City stowaway) did two important things on Saturday, June 24--they accomplished the most needed repairs and they reminded the Purcells that people really do care about their neighbors. You see, the Purcells have been on their own for too long. Job #1 was painting. Good prep work makes a good paint job. The house needed more scraping than anticipated. And the team didn't let up. The team was frustrated that they couldn't finish the final painting on event day. Not a week passed, though, before the U of L clean up team completed the final coats of fresh, white paint. More repairs are being handled by the City of.New Albany's rehab program, so the Purcells anticipate some floor and interior work. G°ldie` has lived on Elm ~treet for over 21 years. With Debbie's help, she lives Where and as she wants. With Repair Affair's help, Debbie has a new sense of her community's caring. Now, the Purcells know they are not alone. The Stats material expenses: Number of volunteers: Accomplished repairs: $552.53 14 (plus 24U of L) total exterior scrape & paint; landing/handrails built A really, really big blue house Kenneth and Grethel Monyhan's home at 1506 Charlestown Road is, today, a fresh Federal Blue with stately gray trim. To get it to this point took an amazing effort from the PNC Bank Team. Some expected help failed to materialize--adult children were more hindrance than help. The bankers (and their attorney) persevered, however. This was a big house. Scraping, prepping and painting it took the lion's share of the day. The house was on a hill, so ladder work took some nerve. But, who has more nerve than bankers and lawyers? In their yellow and blue T-shirts, the team looked good while they did good. The homeowners (not used to such compassion) were very pleased. Mr. Monyhan circled the house several times, as if he couldn't believe the difference! This home is slated for more help from the City of New Albany's rehab program, which will provide for new wiring, a bathroom, a furnace and roof, and much new flooring. This home will decently shelter the Monyhans for years to come! The Stats material expenses: Number of volunteers: Accomplished repairs: $395.06 25 total exterior scrape & paint replace rotten wood On a clear day, he can see forever The McAfee home, perched on the edge of the railroad tracks at 1405 Vincennes Street, is modest. From the deck, Mr. McAfee can see forever, and this may remind him of his days as a trucker. Now, he is in very poor health. "I've been dead," he confided, while telling the tale of his four heart attacks and emphysema. Mr. McAfee's goal is to stay home. Unfortunately, his home required many repairs that demanded specific skills. Enter St. Vincent de Paul and the boys and the girl from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. This volunteer team spent the day joking and laughing--and wiring, plumbing and rebuilding. They accomplished an incredible amount of work. The team's PSI retirees earned the city inspector's praise with a bit of high tech wiring. At another team's request, one electrician covered a job in Clarksville, too! The Stats material expenses: Number of volunteers: Accomplished repairs: $485.28 7 rerouted sump pump; stained deck; new cellar door; cleaned & repaired gutters; new downspouts; replaced electrical panels; installed 220; rewired hot water heater; installed A/C outlet A Mayor who paints Leo Banister's historic home at 1141 Crystal Avenue is very pretty, despite its long list of repair needs. The most valuable thing that Repair Affair could do for Mr. B. was to paint the home's exterior. After that, . New AlbanY's rehab program :could work with him to plan an interior renovation' and a new roof. What was needed was a really bfg team to conquer the big, white house. What came was a really, really big team. Three groups, Liberty National Bank, Hoosier Valley and City of New Albany employees, came together to make Leo Banister's day! A U of L prep team had scraped the home ahead of time. It took a while for everyone to find a place to work. But, work they did, including Mayor Doug England who drew some tough jobs. New Albany Redevelopment estimates the value of the work at more than $2000. Now, kitchen cabinets may be added to the rehab plan. material expenses: Number of volunteers: Accomplished repairs: $545.81 17 (plus 25 U of L) total exterior scrape & paint Her beautiful home Norman and Margie Newell, 78 East 16th Street, live as far south as you can get in Indiana. Next stop: the Ohio River. Mr. Newell was nervous about volunteers coming to his home. He didn't think it good enough. He ~pent Friday scrubbing the toilet. This was a tough house. Three teams united into one giant effort made a great success. Volunteers came from The Council for Aging and Aged, American Eye Institute and Regional Federal Bank. Volunteer plumber Mike Futter had already replaced the bathtub drain pipe, blocked since Easter. This team worked hard, but left gratified by the dramatic results of one day's labor. Accomplishments included: most of the house scrubbed and painted; sterilized floors and stove; an "Oh! So white!" dropped ceiling;, American Eye volunteers passed the hat on Monday and returned with fresh, new curtains and a sofa cover; a new bathroom sink came from donated items at Repair Affair's warehouse and TL Alan Schellenberger returned to install. Mrs. Newell is a quiet woman. About her "beautiful" home, she is now cheerful and animated! That the team cared about her made a spiritual difference. ~ The Stats material expenses: Number of volunteers: Accomplished repairs: $329.93 20 cleared tub drainline; new bathroom sink; drop ceiling in bath and kitchen; clean and paint kitchen and living room In Jeffersonville An Ace in the Hole, Alberta Phillips, 1003 Watt Street, was widowed last year after 66 years of marriage. And this summer, she has been in the hospital. But, what a welcome home from the hospital she received, thanks to National City Bank! She returned home the day before Repair Affair and watched the volunteers transform the side of her home. What was needed at the Phillips home was the cool precision of an experienced leader and a team that could work like a finely tuned machine. Okay! This great team finished exactly what they planned exactIy when they planned to finish. Kudos to Steve Shetter for recruiting Kime Construction's help. The new siding looks great and Ace, the team mascot/construction dog, won the hearts of every visiting runner and photographer. Too bad Ace couldn't protect Cathy Rogers from the killer dog down the street who "treed" her on top of a car. The Stats material expenses: Number of volunteers: Accomplished repairs: $441.08 15 exterior paint--windows, window boxes, door, front porch, porch stoops, guttering, downspouts, siding added to north side Eve _rywhere you looked, Methodists Lucille Mills, 1027 Watt Street, now lives in a sweet little cottage. Facing the west side of Jeffersonville's historic Quadrangle, Mrs. Mill's home was one of the toughest Repair Affair challenges. Three teams cleared weeds, scraped, caulked, painted and rebuilt a porch. Here's how it happened: A two-church team of Methodists, Wall Street UMC and Wesley UMC, took on the challenge. The Methodists got a head start, thanks to a U of L prep team that cleared the way--and the way was choked with poison ivy. The two churches rebuilt the side porch after junk was removed to reveal dangerous decay. "I feel like Kris Kringle," said one volunteer who balanced pizza and a paint brush at the noon break. The buzz at the Wall Street UMC Sunday School was that they definitely want more Repair Affair. Team Leader Maurice Traughber's construction company patched the roof over the bathroom until a permanent solution can be found. U of L students completed the painting on Friday, June 30. material expenses: Number of volunteers: Accomplished repairs: $472.18 20 (plus U of L 2 teams of 20) cleared brush and junk, trimmed trees rebuilt side porch replaced rotted wood siding total exterior scrape & paint patched roof Amazing Graceland! Vanda Rosenberry, 831 Springdale, could not leave her home without assistance. She is in extremely poor health and restricted to a wheelchair--and her home had no ramp! Until she met her Repair Affair team from Graceland Baptist Church, she coped. The problem with Graceland, however; is they worked so fast they almost missed the pizza! Mrs. Rosenberry was thrilled with the extra exterior painting the volunteers did in addition to building the new wheelchair ramp. "The homeowner needs a facelfft to match!", she jokes. Now, in case of fire or emergency--or just to small the roses-- Mrs. Rosenberry can leave her home. She is very happy. The Stats material expenses: Number of volunteers: Accomplished repairs: $402.86 14 wheelchair ramp designed, built paint exterior trim Her home, All she had. All she wanted, Elderly homeowners like Elizabeth Delaney, 223 Walnut Street, hold onto the hope of home as the reason for living. Elizabeth broke a hip just before Repair Affair. She was thrilled that Repair Affair volunteers could help her. She hoped that she could mend and her beloved home would, too! Volunteers from Presbyterian Church (USA) Foundation and PACO (Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic parish) tackled a huge job. Years of rain ruined the kitchen roof, ceiling and floor. All three were ripped out and replaced. Dedicated Team Leader, Keith Johnson of T. KEMPF contractors, returned on weeknights to refinish the crumbling living room walls to prepare them for a New Directions volunteer to paint. U of L volunteers finished the kitchen painting and replaced the living room furniture. Mrs. Delaney's life-long friend visited her at the rehab center to report on the wonderful job Repair Affair volunteers had done. Delighted, Mrs. Delaney so wanted to go home! That hope was her only reason for living. She lost that reason on Monday, July 10 when doctors suggested she be placed in a nursing home. On Tuesday morning, Mrs. Delaney died. Her life-long friend says that she "just lost the will to live." The Stats material expenses: Number of volunteers: Accomplished repairs: $440.19 20 (plus U of L 5) replaced kitchen roof, flashing. drywall patch on kitchen ceiling replaced kitchen floor stripped wallpaper and patched walls in living room cleaned kitchen walls paint kitchen and living room A family's home and history_ After 19 years of caring for her parents, Minnie Burdin, 2005 Woodland Court, inherited the family home in February when her mother died at the age of 99. During the Second World War, her dad ran a grocery in the living room. Saturday, June 24 was her birthday and Minnie thinks she got the best birthday gift ever! The Team Leader, Frank Alford fixed the plumbing on his assessment visit. Talk about getting straight to work! Frank, an RSVP volunteer, supervised a great team from First Baptist Church which returned to install gutters. Also working at the Burdin home was a team from Immanual Baptist Church. Together, they cut down some dangerOUsly low branches from big trees, washed the home's exterior and primed and hung the gutter boards. Frank was thrilled to discover the skilled carpenters on his team. The most worrisome problem, however, was a decayed septic tank that Mrs. Burdin feared was a hazard to neighborhood children. Frank contacted the state highway department to request they fill in the septic tank--it was six feet deep! Frank broke up the concrete to prep and leveled the top off after it was filled. material expenses: Number of volunteers: Accomplished repairs: $140.99 (waiting for gutter 9 added gutter boards and gutters painted trim repair kitchen plumbing fill-in/repair cover for septic tank wash exterior siding "She reminds me of myself." Phyllis Larison, PSI Energy's Team Leader, didn't think she'd meet a soul mate during a Repair Affair event, but Dorothy Pruitt, 473 Andulusia, is a pistol. She's been working with the Clarksville Police Department because a "wacko" calls her to boast of his criminal activities. "I tell him he's sick and ought to turn himself in. Then, I call the police," she told Phyllis. While the team's plumber was figuring out the problems, Phyllis got acquainted with her new friend. Mrs. Pruitt worked a paper route while her boys were in school to pay the bills after Mr. Pruitt left. Phyllis admires Mrs. Pruitt's toughness, "Dorothy reminds me of myself," she said. That's one reason Phyllis adopted Mrs. Pruitt to the point of taking the dog for her "summer do"! Tough as she is, Mrs. Pruitt needed help. She's broken the same hip twice and could no longer navigate her basement steps to her laundry. All Mrs. Pruitt wanted was to be able to wash and dry her clothes. Volunteers moved her washer and dryer upstairs so that they are side- by-side. And the electricians borrowed from Our Lady of Perpetual Help (who happen to be from PSI) returned later to cut the dryer vent and add an outlet. material expenses: Number of volunteers: Accomplished repairs: $188.32 5 ran new pipes for washer moved electrical service moved washer/dryer to living qrts cut vent for dryer added dryer outlet and plug Elbow grease, skill and carin~ Retirement didn't turn out like she planned. Doris Fleenor refinanced her home at 1517 Altawood to pay medical bills from her husband's last illness. To keep the house, she works part-time at Jeffersonville Main Street. Despite poor eyesight and heart trouble, she taught herself to handle a computer. She's plucky and her Repair Affair team, made up of John-Kenyon Eye Center and Furrow employees, worked hard to help. They scrubbed and patched the living room, then they painted. Volunteers cleaned the kitchen, down to the cabinet knobs. The bathroom looks new! Wall patches could not be seen, the job was done so well. The tub was black from a chemical used several years ago. Team Leader A1 Hall used a magic elixir which, with elbow grease, made the difference! And, more! Furrow employees tarred the roof. John-Kenyon volunteers weeded and mulched the front flower bed. Of course, Mrs. Fleenor is thrilled. The Stats material expenses: Number of volunteers: Accomplished repairs: $393.06 16 repaired bathroom wall cleaned tub area cleaned LR and kitchen walls painted bath, living room, kitchen patched carport roof yard work/mulch Section 3 -- Evaluation Results Methodology Evaluation forms were sent to all volunteers, at addresses provided on the sign-in sheets. Homeowners also received evaluations and were asked for their comments. Team Leaders and runners received a specialized evaluation which concentrated more on logistics of materials, appropriateness of work, and support received from Repair Affair staff. Results See sample evaluation forms for data results on each question Homeowners: response rate: 33% Comments: · see letter from Doris Fleenor · the home was in bad shape, and I appreciate all the work that was involved in painting it · it sure made a big difference in the appearance of my house and the neighborhood in general. They did a wonderful job. · Thank you to all sponsors and volunteers Team Leaders/runners: response rate: runners 75% TL 16% Comments: · have an orientation meeting to more clearly review job description; · runners should not be responsible for drinks/lunch · let TL choose which type scrapers the team prefers · choose houses which need less work · coolers were a problem · having extra coolers and money to buy lots of ice was a good idea · more water--maybe some kind of large jug or canteen Volunteers: response rate: Comments: 31% have 2 crews per house (a.m./p.m.). someone should double check that TL ordered appropriate materials. more info. on what to expect/needed tasks have Repair Affair more often have TL pick up ice and cooler from "Breakfast" overall response: Great!! A good job by all.. We enjoyed being involved. more publicity to make people aware have materials ready and available when needed pick a cooler time delivery of materials went very well! it was too hot for pizza on that particular day (several comments) too much time spent on Kick-Off have a print-out of repairs-paint colors,etc, posted at the house get someone to travel to each site and take team photos things were great-I shop @ Furrow more now! my perception was that family members were available and able to assist, but no assistance was given--this may have been discouraging for some of the volunteers great experience, great effort on all parts--could make a 2 day affair more would have been done if ladders had been there to accomodate the number of workers--I don't believe it would have been as confusing if all the supplies had been there when we started--I really enjoyed myself & look forward to helping again next year I thought you did a great job. Very organized. a list of team members would be nice, but not necessary utilize high school students or youth groups ensure sufficient supplies ask volunteers to fill out form re: skills so they can be matched to job more bottled water for 1st event, went very'well; future will be easier Conclusions: Overall, the event was a huge success! Note the volunteers who suggested a 2 day event or having Repair Affair more frequently. Volunteers indicated that they received adequate and timely information and that the TL did a good job. Volunteer evaluation results indicate (unanimously) that lunch and drinks were adequate. TL and runners may not have had clear idea of their responsibilities and may have needed luther training/instruction. The materials/ supplies problems were clustered at a few houses where TL had not been adequately trained. Team Leaders are key to Repair Affair's success. The summer date caused some of the water/ice suggestions. A fall or spring date is definitely easier on the volunteers. Please note the wording of the evaluation. The evaluation is designed to elicit suggestions for improvements rather than to gather pats on the ' S back for a job well done. Thus, suggestion should not be interpreted as complaints or dissatisfaction with the program, but indeed as suggested improvements. Repair Affair has evolved based on the suggestions of volunteers and will continue to improve. How do you rate Repair Affair? Please evaluate yoUr Repair Affair experiences and return this to Repair Affair by folding, stapling and stamping it as shown. Thanks! Did you receive information in advance? [] too far ahead [] just right [] not soon enough [] no info. 88% 12% Did the Team Leader assign tasks so that you felt useful and organized? [] very well [~ adequate [] confused 50% 50% Did yOu understand the assigned tasks? Was your Team Leader clear in his/her instructions and did he/she provide sufficient oversight? El very clear ~ clear ~ needed more training/explanation 53% 38% 9% Were drinks and lunch acceptable? [] yes [] no 100% Suggested ~mprovements for dnnldlunch delivery; extra materials, etc.: Can we make Repair Affair more successful? ANY suggestions would be welcome: Team Leader or House: Your Name (optional): July i3, 1995 Repair Affair New Directions Housing P. O. Box 11609 Louisville, ICY 40251 Attn: Viola Britt/Cathy Rogers Repair Affair Coordinators Re: Homeowner Evaluation Southern Indiana Pilot Event Dear Ms. Britt and Ms. Rogers: Enclosed is my completed evaluation. I find myself at a loss to put into words what your program meant to me. Being legally blind from glaucoma and still recovering from triple by-pass surgery as well as two emergency eye surgeries within a month, the work performed was truly a God sent gift. The newly painted rooms are so bright, cheerful and clean they are a joy. The repaired bathroom looks like new. The carport roof is still settling in but I'm sure with all this hot sun will seal completely. My herb, annual and old-fashioned perennial garden looks more lovely than it has in years. Each of the volunteers worked so hard and went far beyond what I expected them to accomplish. One young lady even did my kitchen cabinets down to polishing the brass fittings. I don't need to tell you that when I, with my limited sight, can see the tremendous difference, it was an accomplishment that I never thought could be done. The project manager, Al Hall of Furrows, was so accommodating and generous with his talents and his cheerful manner. When I thanked one of the volunteers as she left she said: "Hey, don't than me. I call this my attitude adjustment." Another laughingly commented that it would keep her from "making a trip to the gym." In other words, they attempted to make me feel that I had done them a favor. But we know better. For months to come I will be enjoying the outcome of their work. I have already spoken to several friends that 1 feel sure will be making donations in the near future. In my younger, healthier and better visioned days I acted as a volunteer Girl Scout Leader as well as Sunday School Teacher, volunteer on field trips with the "Y" and other charitable organizations. I felt then that I got so much more from the experience than the children. I can only hoPe that those working on my home could feel my excitement, thanks and pleasure in what they did for me and feel the same warm glow that I did then. I can't help but remember the quotation about casting bread upon the waters. I feel as if I threw a few crumbs and got back a whole bakery. With love and gratitude, Doris Fleenor 1517 Altawood Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 Ends. Repair Affair supporters The City of Jeffersonville The City of New Albany The Town of Clarksville PNC Bank National City Bank Community Bank John-Kenyon Eye Center Furrow Building Materials Papa John's Pizza Porter Paints American Eye Institute Regional Federal Bank Liberty National Bank PSI Energy Keystone Restorations Graceland Baptist Church and individual donors partnering Non-profit agencies South Central Indiana Council for the Aging and Aged St. Vincent de Paul Society Hoosier Valley Economic Opportunity Corporation Interfaith Community Council RSVP Repair Affair is a program of New Directions Housing Corporation. 'ag& A2 Methodist church spread of gambling Jeff's Dunn to play baseball at SE Illinois Page B1 THr EVENING Nr ws Associated Press · Copyright © 1995, News & Journal, Inc. Today 2 sections, 12 pages . Member IANA A PARK NE YEAR NO. 181 pRICE 50¢ This edition~en Dyer JEFFERSONVILLE, INDL~ -------- .ocal homes to benefit from Repair Affair ~, After June 24, a fi~xed ~ jeffe~onvL~c ~d New Al- clockwork on June 2¥ ,ca~ ot tbJs is the f~rst project will be~in at 8 a.m. a~m,W°rk tceriag for B BRIEFLY liss Indiana · owned for 1995 NA celebrates panded office ott hospital screen athletes II uS what J're thinking AN OLD HOUSn RENEWED Churches join forces, provide elbow grease for Repair Affair · Story By DANA THOMPSON * StaffPhotos By MICHAEL HAYMAN on her porch and watchell the Above, volunteers Melanle Zelem and Janice Dlsbr o pulled down Christmas lights from Mills' house. At left, volunteers walked around the house as they continued their worl< Tho ,EDGE -TRIBUNE New AIb~ny, lndlanl Sunday, June 25, 19~5 A COUPLE OF STRIPPERS -- Vlckl Rough and her son, COP/, itdp paint off the home of Go~d~e ~d Debb~e Purcell duflng yesterpay'a Repair Atfalr. MOt~ titan 60 paople pitched In Nailing down help Volunteers give new life to old h ouse.s..~ ~.._-. ~oluni'eers hammer newlife into old hO'm'e'~' ' :From page A1 qualify for help, and work out ~ootdinalofs. Teams gcncra!ly ranged in bc on disability income lo qual- stalling new floors, subfloors ify. and building ~heelchair ramps. group's'help was provided by Purcell and her molher, Dcbbie. Letter to the editor i Dear Editor: Isn't this a busy world.'? Our com- munity is fortunate that caring folks s~op the action in their action- packed lives and help others. On Saturday, June 24, over 150 people in southern Indiana will postpone their busy lives to help 12 elderly homeowners with long-deferred repairs. This is the purpose of Repair Affair, and it can only hap- pen when people care about their neighbors. But, even the most well-inten- tioned volunteers need building materials to make the kind of repairs we tackle. The cities of Jeffersonvitle, New Albany and Clarksville helped. These folks helped, too: PNC Bank; American Eye Institute; National City Bank; Regional Federal Bank; Community Bank; Liberty National Bank; John-Kenyon Eye Center; PSI Energy: Furrow Buildin Materials; Keystone Restoration Papa John's Pizza and Gracelan Baptist Church. These generous sponsors, plu some great individual donors, mak, Repair Affair possible. Man thanks to all! Sincerely, Lisa Thompson Staff photo by Ron REPAIR AFFAIR COMMI'rrEE held a meeting to finalize plans for a one day event aimed to hel~: omeowners who are unable to help themselves. The special day is planned for Saturday. June 24. I thu(red from left. around the table, are Ceil Sperzel. Retired Senior Volunteer Program; Earlene Bent f r A in ' Donna Baird. C tv of Jeffersonville; Steve Shelter, Nat onal City B~ Sout~ Central C_o.~n_.c_ o_ g.. g, ,.. ..... c~. ~',...,.;,-,,., r-onter. Viola Brtt New Directions Hou! Jack e James. F'NL; t~anK; ~onya r~uumv., r~, ,,,~uo,-u .~.. , Corporation; Cathy Rogers. New D rections Housing Corporation and Phil Roth, New Albany Deve merit C..r, rnmission.