For this episode of Community Conversations, we spoke with Jennifer Schock-Bolles, the Executive Director from Project Mend-A-House.
Q: So, tell us about the organization’s history.
A: So, Project Mend-A-House was founded in 1984 by a Meals-On-Wheels volunteer Lily Blackwell. And we were founded in Prince William County – we only operate in Prince William County – so we’re about as local as you can get.
Q: What is the mission of Project Mend-A-House?
A: Our mission has changed over the years. It used to be that we provided primarily free home repairs. But now our mission, because our clientele are mostly seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans who are low income, it’s really to help them remain safely and independently in their homes. So it’s more about an ‘aging in place’ focus, instead of just home repair.
Q: So what kinds of things do you actually do in the community – you know, whether it be a home repairs – what do you guys actually fix or repair? Is it just small things or are they large things – are they ramps? What kind is it?
A: Our home repair program is minor home repairs. So we fix leaky faucets, we rehang gutters – we do – some of our projects can be fairly major though, in that we replace flooring, we remove some minor mold. If a faucet’s leaked for several years, then it’s not just replacing the faucet – you’re replacing the lower cabinets, that kind of thing. And we also install ramps, grab bars. We really focus a lot on accessibility and safety.
We have a durable medical equipment closet, so we give out things like stair climbers, hospital beds, wheelchairs, power scooters. And then, in the past few years, we’ve actually expanded our programs again back to the ‘aging in place’ focus. We partner with George Mason University to offer a 10-week group exercise class that’s designed to strengthen your balance and flexibility and prevent falls, hopefully. And then, just in the past year we’ve started offering a program developed at Stanford – it’s the chronic disease self-management program, and we also have a diabetes component as well. And we partner with the Prince William Area Agency on Aging for that program.
Q: So, how can people get involved with your organization, and what can they do?
A: Oh my gosh, yes. So we rely very heavily on volunteers and community support. All of our home repairs are done by volunteers – we have a very, very small staff. And the great thing about the home repairs – it’s a great opportunity if you’re a DIY kind of person to either hone your skills or learn new skills. And we have some very experienced volunteers that act as team leaders, and we’re always looking for that, but don’t be afraid if you aren’t real confident in your home repair skills – we can still use you.
We also, our chronic disease self-management program is led by a volunteer leader. And we have a training coming up for that at the end of October, so we’re looking for volunteers for that. Ideally, that’s actually someone who has a chronic condition themselves. We provide all the training, so if you just have a heart to help people, then we can find a home for you, so. And we’re starting a new program, hopefully in January, when we roll out we’ll be providing free volunteer transportation and also do a friendly visiting program, where it would be like a one to two-hour companionship visit for seniors – primarily for seniors – or with disabilities that are isolated and not able to get out of their homes. So we’re actively looking for volunteers for that as well.
Q: And so you have quite a few events coming up in the next six months – six months at least – six months to a year? So tell us about the events that are coming right up and maybe one or two that are coming up in the future.
A: Sure. So, I guess, the event coming up the soonest is our Taste of the Town, which is October 25, and that’s our annual I call it the ‘Taste of the Town feast’. So we’ve been doing it for 17 years. And it’s about 30 different restaurants that come – so it’s a great chance to try all the local restaurants. And then in early December we’ll have our Holiday Open House, where we’ll have some local vendors, and you can do a little early Christmas shopping, and we’ll be doing a ribbon cutting with the Prince William Chamber at that event. And then we’ve got some other exciting things in the works for next year.
Check back for the next episode of Community Conversations.
Here is a video about the upcoming Taste of the Town:
