HELPING HANDS: From rundown to spruced up volunteers give home a makeover
Source: The Detroit Free Press
By: Julie Edgar, Free Press Staff Writer
Published: April 30, 2007
Southfield -- An $8,000-home improvement grant from the City of Southfield and the goodwill of volunteers have transformed Judi Irwin's tiny ranch from cluttered and decrepit to a tidy nest for a recent amputee.
Since mid-February, plumbers, electricians and carpenters have mended leaks, built walls, replaced doors and floors, and painted inside and out -- free of charge.
United Way volunteers built a wheelchair-accessible ramp that Irwin joked is bigger than the house. And on Saturday, workers put the finishing touches on the Filmore Street home, putting in a new oven and microwave and sanitizing and painting basement walls.
They were helped by volunteers with Rebuilding Together Oakland County, a church-based organization that rehabilitates the homes of low-income seniors once a year.
"It's a wonderful thing that's been done," Irwin said of how the community came to her aid.
Kerry Comerford, an assistant building official with the Southfield Building Department, suggested that Irwin's home be among six in Southfield on the Rebuilding Together rehab list. But Irwin's situation was so dire, Comerford sprung into action earlier.
"This is the first time we've ever done something like this -- gone to these lengths to help somebody out. She was going to be discharged from the hospital and things kind of came together," Comerford said. "I guess we were looking at this one, scratching our heads and figuring out how we were going to make a $10,000 grant mean something."
Comerford assembled a team of 30 to 40 plumbers, electricians, carpenters and painters who agreed to donate their time. The money was used for materials, or those that weren't donated.
Jason Bachman of Linden, a member of Plumbers Local 98, was among those who responded. Last week, he and a colleague tore out Irwin's bathtub to make room for a new shower.
"I'm a young guy. I like giving back, especially to someone who really needs it," said Bachman, 30.
Irwin's plight first came to light when she called 911 in November after noticing that her toes had lost color. Southfield Fire Department medics saw the condition of the house and alerted the city that the home was too cluttered and possibly too dilapidated for human habitation. Irwin, 60, a chronic diabetic, lived there with her two adult children, who have mental disabilities. Both suffered brain damage as infants, she said.
When Irwin went into the hospital, where part of her right leg was amputated, her two children, 24 and 37, were placed in separate group homes. Irwin didn't leave the hospital until mid-December.
Today, she plans to be in court to argue that she is ready to have them back, given the shipshape condition of her house.
Until her children, Michael and Carolyn, come back, Irwin said, her house won't truly be a home.
Contact JULIE EDGAR at 248-351-3294 or edgar@freepress.com.
By: Julie Edgar, Free Press Staff Writer
Published: April 30, 2007
Southfield -- An $8,000-home improvement grant from the City of Southfield and the goodwill of volunteers have transformed Judi Irwin's tiny ranch from cluttered and decrepit to a tidy nest for a recent amputee.
Since mid-February, plumbers, electricians and carpenters have mended leaks, built walls, replaced doors and floors, and painted inside and out -- free of charge.
United Way volunteers built a wheelchair-accessible ramp that Irwin joked is bigger than the house. And on Saturday, workers put the finishing touches on the Filmore Street home, putting in a new oven and microwave and sanitizing and painting basement walls.
They were helped by volunteers with Rebuilding Together Oakland County, a church-based organization that rehabilitates the homes of low-income seniors once a year.
"It's a wonderful thing that's been done," Irwin said of how the community came to her aid.
Kerry Comerford, an assistant building official with the Southfield Building Department, suggested that Irwin's home be among six in Southfield on the Rebuilding Together rehab list. But Irwin's situation was so dire, Comerford sprung into action earlier.
"This is the first time we've ever done something like this -- gone to these lengths to help somebody out. She was going to be discharged from the hospital and things kind of came together," Comerford said. "I guess we were looking at this one, scratching our heads and figuring out how we were going to make a $10,000 grant mean something."
Comerford assembled a team of 30 to 40 plumbers, electricians, carpenters and painters who agreed to donate their time. The money was used for materials, or those that weren't donated.
Jason Bachman of Linden, a member of Plumbers Local 98, was among those who responded. Last week, he and a colleague tore out Irwin's bathtub to make room for a new shower.
"I'm a young guy. I like giving back, especially to someone who really needs it," said Bachman, 30.
Irwin's plight first came to light when she called 911 in November after noticing that her toes had lost color. Southfield Fire Department medics saw the condition of the house and alerted the city that the home was too cluttered and possibly too dilapidated for human habitation. Irwin, 60, a chronic diabetic, lived there with her two adult children, who have mental disabilities. Both suffered brain damage as infants, she said.
When Irwin went into the hospital, where part of her right leg was amputated, her two children, 24 and 37, were placed in separate group homes. Irwin didn't leave the hospital until mid-December.
Today, she plans to be in court to argue that she is ready to have them back, given the shipshape condition of her house.
Until her children, Michael and Carolyn, come back, Irwin said, her house won't truly be a home.
Contact JULIE EDGAR at 248-351-3294 or edgar@freepress.com.
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