Posted on June 29, 2012 by staci
What a week at PWC! Over 300 volunteers from World Changers have been battling the heat to repair 26 homes across the Tristate. These middle school, high school and college students from all over the country have come to Cincinnati to experience missions firsthand by becoming personally involved in rehab and repair projects.
Over the last four years, the partnership between People Working Cooperatively and World Changers has grown tremendously. What began as a small project of nine homes has almost tripled in size this year.
Without the volunteers from World Changers, the projects completed this week would have remained on the waiting list, said Kimberly Sullivan, marketing manager of People Working Cooperatively.
Families like the McCoy’s have been in need of a wheel-chair ramp for their six-year-old, Lillian, for over a year. Read how volunteers from World Changers made this wish a reality for Lillian and her family in this article from The Cincinnati Enquirer.
Posted on June 22, 2012 by kim
PWC's state-sponsored Electric Partnership Program is designed specifically for clients currently enrolled in or income eligible for the Percentage of Income Payment Program (PIPP), an extended payment arrangement that requires regulated gas and electric companies to accept payments based on a percentage of the household income.
Participants work with one of PWC’s staff auditors to develop an energy action plan to help do the following:
- Reduce the need for electricity
- Save on energy expenses
- Reduce growth of PIPP arrearage
One example of how this program works is our client, Mrs. French.
Sixty-nine year old client Mrs. French was battling terminal cancer – fighting to stay well and live life to the fullest. But her fight to live was made more difficult by the discomfort of her home – it was cold in the winter and too warm in the summer. To make matters worse, her electric bills were sky high – often forcing her to make the choice between utilities and life-saving medication. She didn’t know where to turn for help – until she heard about PWC.
Mrs. French had heated her home of 35 years with baseboard heaters, and cooled with window air. She had an average summer and winter kWh usage of 2,739. With services from the Targeted Energy Efficiency (TEE) Program, PWC provided blown attic insulation and fiberglass insulation plus vapor barrier inside the crawl space. Through the Electric Partnership Program (EPP), PWC also installed a new electric furnace, heat pump, and ran ductwork through out her home. We disabled the baseboard heaters and took out the window air conditioners.
With the work that was done on Mrs. French’s home, her summer cooling bill went on average from $300 to $100 a month. When the county inspector surveyed PWC’s finished work, he told Mrs. French what a great job it was and how it had truly improved the quality of life inside her home.
Mrs. French has been told that she has less then two years to live, and is grateful for the improved living conditions that make her more comfortable in her own home.
“I never had cold air blowing in my kitchen,” she said. “You guys did a great job”.
Posted on June 18, 2012 by pwcstaff
Yesterday we switched things up a bit at PWC and introduced a new icon on the People Working Cooperatively Facebook page.
The new icon or avatar features a “P” and a section of the current PWC logo – our signature roof – in the background. PWC Marketing Manager Kim Sullivan explains the change.
“We have been connecting with our clients, volunteers, donors and supporters through Facebook and other social media since 2009,” Kim said. “With all the changes that come through social media platforms, it was time to simplify our look – using the same font and same logo that is part of our brand, just easier to identify. We hope you stay with us and keep in the know on all things PWC.”
Kim said to expect to see the new icon popping up on other platforms, including Twitter, in the coming weeks.
“PWC is growing and changing, connecting with new partnerships and new opportunities,” she said. “But the mission is the same, centered around the many people we serve and the many people who help us serve them. People first – that’s PWC.”
To connect with People Working Cooperatively on Facebook, visit https://www.facebook.com/PeopleWorkingCooperatively. To follow PWC on Twitter, visit https://www.twitter.com/PWCCincy.
Posted on June 08, 2012 by staci
Summer is a time for fun and sun, but it can also be a time to give back. Right now, we have approximately 300 requests for help repairing leaky faucets, clogged drains, storm doors, handrails and more. Our elderly clients rely on volunteers to make these small repairs happen.
Whether you are looking for a one-time opportunity or something more consistent, PWC has something for everyone.
Field Service Volunteers- This is perfect for handymen or handywomen with time available during the week. We will match your abilities to the repair and maintenance tasks on our request list. You could be paired up with a more experienced volunteer and learn valuable home repair skills you can put to use at your own home. Even if you have only basic knowledge and experience with hand tools, you can provide an immense benefit to our homeowners.
Third Saturdays- On the third Saturday of each month from 8:30 a.m.-noon, PWC is open for volunteers. Individuals, groups and families are welcome! Many kinds of skills are needed from yard work to installing grab bars and handrails, to minor home repairs.
Also, several groups of volunteers are scheduled throughout the summer including the World Changers, ENGAGE, Catholic Heart Workcamp and Franciscans of the Poor. These groups have volunteers of all ages tackling numerous home maintenance projects that match their skill level.
If you or a group would like to get involved, call volunteer manager, Sara Bourgeois, at (513) 351-7921 or send an email to sarab@pwchomerepairs.org.
Posted on June 01, 2012 by pwcstaff
If there’s a tough job during Repair Affair, People Working Cooperatively knows exactly who it’s going to: Hixson Architecture Engineering Interiors, the Cincinnati-based firm that has been volunteering with PWC for more than 15 years.
The local company brings its hands-on skills, positive attitude and dozens of volunteers with know-how. The firm has 16 in-house disciplines and so a volunteer crew from Hixson might include electrical, structural and HVAC engineers, along with a few architects.
Rick Hampton, who serves as senior vice president at Hixson, started volunteering with PWC after a neighbor encouraged him to join his volunteer crew roughly 20 years ago. After Rick’s first volunteer event with PWC, he was hooked. A few years later, he approached other leaders at Hixson with the hopes of putting together a Hixson volunteer crew.
Rick says that Hixson never has problems recruiting its employees to volunteer with PWC.
“Our people enjoy it a lot,” said Rick. “There’s a huge amount of pride in the work we’re able to do. We give back to the community in different ways but we much prefer giving our talents. When you can help someone replace their porch, that’s valuable.”
In addition to organizing a crew for Repair Affair, Hixson supports Prepare Affair and Oscar Night® America. Most recently, Hixson stepped up to provide PWC with design solutions for its multi-purpose room, which will serve as the new Community Room.
“This is classic Hixson! Professional, skilled and community minded. A partner which would be the envy of any nonprofit,” said Bill Hitch, development manager at PWC.
Hixson provided PWC with multiple drawings for contractors to take for permit. Hixson contributed its expertise to People Working Cooperatively at no cost.
“PWC is just a class act. It’s a great mission and great work,” said Rick.