Programs : Home Service Project: Stories

Kathleen

Kathleen, age 86, became a client of the CYO Home Service Project in February, 2007 during the height of a winter storm.  Kathleen faced three issues:  (1) her storm door wasn’t closing properly, (2) she was struggling to take her weekly trash to the end of the driveway, and (3) she had limited contact in her neighborhood and felt awkward asking for help.  CYO Home Service Project was able to step in and help Kathleen in a number of ways.  First, CYO was able to match Kathleen with a caring volunteer who easily pushed her storm door back into the proper position.  Kathleen was so grateful that she cried.  Second, CYO helped Kathleen re-establish her connection with her church and found a nearby neighbor and fellow church member to help Kathleen take out her trash as well as check in on her on a regular basis.   She is now reconnected to her community and has dependable neighbors looking after her.  She “never knew anyone would be interested in helping her.”  Although it is sometimes difficult to ask for help, Kathleen has learned that there are caring people at CYO and feels very comfortable calling.  She is gratefully to everyone that has come forward to help her.

Ed

Ed, age 72, has been with the Home Service Project since April, 2006.  Ed was referred to CYO through the Area Agency on Aging and was seeking assistance with lawn care, weeding, trimming bushes, and raking leaves.  After meeting with Ed and assessing his needs, CYO learned that Ed needed additional help including a much needed exterior paint job, new kitchen paint, new carpet and an urgent need to fix a gas leak in his kitchen.  To Ed’s delight, CYO Home Service Project was able to match Ed with willing volunteers to fix all the problems listed above. 

Through further discussions, CYO learned that Ed was a veteran of the Korean War but had never applied for benefits.  With many health issues and basic needs, it was surprising to learn that Ed was living on less than $700 per month.  CYO was able to help Ed apply for benefits with the local veteran’s commission, which resulting in a monthly increase of over $300 plus medical care and other benefits due to him. 

In 2007, CYO Home Service Project continued to support Ed.  A volunteer who owns a local construction company donated his time to install new laminate flooring in Ed’s water-damaged kitchen and The Core Warehouse in Akron is helping to replace Ed’s battered living room furniture. Ed is extremely grateful to CYO and the volunteers who have helped turned things around in a positive direction and the on-going support from the volunteers who still come to his home.