Brighton’s Help for Homes program is looking for volunteers for its 17th annual “Help for Homes” community project on May 14.
“The 17th annual Brighton Help for Homes is a volunteer-driven event designed to help older adults and people living with disabilities in Brighton age well and safely in their homes,” said Chad Nibbelink, Brothers Redevelopment Volunteer Department Director in a written statement. “This is accomplished by meeting a wide range of exterior home repair and maintenance needs for qualifying homeowners, from gutter cleaning to safety and accessibility work and most things in-between.”
The program brings together a community of volunteers and neighbors who work as a team to help residents who need help fixing minor exterior repairs such as painting or help with general yard clean-up. The deadline for volunteers to sign up to make a difference in communities is April 29.
Brother’s Redevelopment Inc. and Eagle View Adult Center started the program with the City of Brighton in 2006. The Brighton Legacy Foundation has helped fund the project since its inception. According to officials, for the last four years, Platte Valley Medical Center also financed the project, and United Power funded the project through their Operation Round Up grant.
The program helps seniors citizens that are income-restricted and own their own single-story homes. The criteria to get work done is based on an assessment of the minor structural repairs at their house. Corbett has a list of seniors that she advertises for or contacts. She also posts on Next Door asking for seniors to apply for help.
Corbett then sends the application to Brothers Redevelopment, Inc. to review the applications and make the selections based on their criteria. For example, it can’t be a two-story home or be in need of significant repairs.
“We have received 1400 applications so far, the home selection could be about up to 17 homes,” said Sue Corbett, Eagle View Adult Center Manager.
The volunteers put a team together with as many as ten friends, families, and co-workers to work for each residence that needs help.
“Sometimes it’s the smallest thing as a yard clean-up makes a person’s day,” said Corbett.
A team captain meeting is 6:30 p.m. on May 3 at the Eagle View Adult Center located at 1150 Prairie Center Parkway. Contact Sue Corbett for a volunteer application or more information about Help for Homes at 303-655-2075.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of Brighton Help for Homes is that it is genuinely neighbors helping neighbors to thrive. It is incredible to work with so many volunteer groups in Brighton who take A healthy and holistic approach to volunteering. Volunteer teams not only fix up and maintain their neighbors’ homes but also prepare lunches for each other, make debris disposal runs in partnership with “Trash Bash,” and make each homeowner a gift basket,” said Nibbelink.