Volunteering
PWC volunteers Bob Trusty, Melissa McOwen, Ed Budo and Aaron Grant
Bob Trusty (foreground), Ed Budo and Melissa McOwen
Volunteer’s skills restore homes and dignity
F
or the elderly, a home contains a lifetime of said. “I come from a large family. I’ve got five brothmemories. “It’s more than just a physical struc- ers, and we just did everything around the house.” ture,” said Aaron Grant, volunteer program manager Today, he uses the skills his dad taught to support at People Working Cooperatively. both his family and his community. PWC has operated with this understanding for As a volunteer, he routinely changes outlets, 45 years, uniting licensed technicians and skilled switches and plugs, installs handrails and insulation, volunteers in a practical response to poverty. As illfixes plumbing and seals leaks. ness and old age threaten independence, PWC helps As a son, he provides steadfast care to his dad, keep community members safe and healthy in their who is 97, and his mom, 93. Gemperline recently homes. assisted their move into a condoFrom electrical maintenance minium that would allow them to keep their independence while to accessibility modifications, the improvements made by staff and meeting safety needs. In his parents’ case that meant volunteers can uplift those experiencing poverty, illness, aging not only taking care of accessibiland unsafe housing conditions. ity modifications, like installing “The founders understood “elephant steps” to accommodate there is something really imwalkers, but making sure their portant about maintaining the new space felt like home. basic structures of home, the A key factor in providing basic systems, to make it livable,” familiarity and comfort at the Grant said. condo was a deck that mimicked Volunteer Steve Gemperline Steve Gemperline is one of the one his parents had enjoyed roughly 3,000 volunteers serving for decades, he said. a total of 20,000 hours each year. Gemperline uses “You learn from that,” he said. “People have a his experience in home repair to assist PWC as a strong attachment to their residence.” field technician. Equipped with tools, training and Gemperline said even small repairs instill a sense experience, he brings both expertise and empathy to of pride because they allow clients to remain safe and his work. healthy in their homes. Gemperline assumed his role shortly after retiring “They don’t feel that they’re just existing,” he said. from GE Aviation in 2017. And while a background “They live a bit better.” in electronics, management and manufacturing For Grant, the dignity piece “can’t be overstated.” predisposed him to the hands-on work, his real As a volunteer, “You’re in the home for at least education began at home. three to four hours, if not longer. Even if you spend “My dad taught me all this stuff,” Gemperline most of it under a bathroom sink cabinet, you’re 26
OCT/NOV 2020
Movers & Makers
By Grace Hill
always learning more about someone’s story, about their situation. Yes, you want to fix the technical problem, but ... by being there, you’re also reminding people that we all, the whole community, have a stake in helping them stay safe and healthy in their home,” Grant said. “It’s a social value they create beyond just the impact of the physical changes they’re making.”
PWC adjusts to COVID for 45 Days of Service Volunteers are still needed to help with People Working Cooperatively’s 45 Days of Service. The event, which continues through Nov. 14, allows socially distanced community volunteers to come together to help neighbors in need. Historically, PWC’s annual Prepare Affair and Repair Affair events have provided home repair and yard clean-up services performed by thousands of volunteers across the region over a period of two days. But due to COVID-19, PWC has implemented safety precautions, including no direct contact with PWC clients, a limit on crew sizes, face coverings required, and work will be outdoors only. www.pwchomerepairs.org
