A helping hand
I have written a lot about our new home builds, and our plans to build more, more often.
At Columbia-Greene Habitat, we do more that just build new homes. A couple of years ago, before we started building from scratch again, we launched a new program, Habitat Helping Hands, that focuses on making safety repairs and mobility improvements for seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income homeowners. Our community has rallied to this program, supporting it with generous financial and in-kind contributions, and many volunteer hours. This support has continued, and grown as we have expanded our service area.
“No one has ever become poor by giving.”
- Anne Frank
Over the past couple of years, we have completed about 40 projects, out of 120 or so applications. Not all applications meet the program requirements, and we prioritize the most critical needs. At present, we don’t do complicated or extensive repairs, like roofs, because our resources aren’t yet up to that challenge. The costs of the repairs we have completed have been covered by the donations and grants we have received and the labor of volunteers, guided by our project manager, Big Mike. It is truly a neighbors helping neighbors effort.
Our Helping Hands projects typically last a day or two, and are fit in to our building schedule. They are perfect projects for both experienced and novice volunteers, as well as teams from organizations. For a lot of our volunteers, it is a low-commitment opportunity to give back.
New York has one of the most aged housing stocks in the nation, and our service areas reflect that. Both our homes and residents are “maturing.” Repairs and upgrades help keep vulnerable residents in their homes, especially our aging and at-risk populations.
“Love is not patronizing and charity isn't about pity, it is about love. Charity and love are the same -- with charity you give love, so don't just give money but reach out your hand instead.” - Mother Teresa
We are looking to expand the Habitat Helping Hands program into more substantial rehabilitation work, while keeping within the volunteer-driven foundation. Funding is available through various state and federal agencies, and we are hopeful of being able to secure additional resources to expand our services.
Want to help? You can donate here, or sign up to volunteer here. With your support, we can do more.
Many hands make light work…and more stairs, and ramps. And assistance for those in need.
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