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“A Brush With Kindness”
“A Brush With Kindness” is a program about repairing houses, one at a time, through simple acts of kindness. Volunteers from service groups, businesses, congregations, and community agencies help with repair work for low-income homeowners who are challenged by age, disability, or circumstance.
“A Brush With Kindness” brings resources, volunteers, and homeowners together to repair roofs, paint, landscape, replace damaged windows and doors, repair plumbing and electrical problems, install wheelchair ramps, replace stoves and refrigerators, install weather-stripping and low-flow shower heads, repair or replace floors, and provide general clean up. Homeowners, if able, repay the costs of materials; or cost is deferred and paid at the refinance or sale of home. Homeowners and family members work side by side with volunteers to complete the restoration of their home if they are able. Our program helps individuals live in a safe, decent home and helps restore hope and dignity to their lives.
We work closely with neighborhood organizations and congregations. They know their neighbors and their needs and most of the referrals come through them. They will also help gather neighborhood volunteers to work.
Homeowners are eligible to participate in the program based on the condition of the home, income of the homeowners, and a demonstration of challenging circumstances such as disability, illness, or age that prevent them from doing the work themselves. Homeowners go through an application process to meet eligibility requirements. Each applicant’s home will be assessed for need and scope of work by Habitat for Humanity staff. All able-bodied homeowners are required to work alongside volunteers.
Volunteers will perform 85% of all the work. Volunteers are recruited through businesses, congregations, and community groups. Team leaders are trained to organize, recruit, and prepare their teams for the task of working on a home. Volunteer teams of 5 – 20 individuals will be matched with homeowners based on several factors including size of project and experience and size of volunteer team. Projects usually take 2-4 days to complete.
