
The upstairs of a house being renovated for three homeless men in Syracuse, NY. By day’s end, the roof had new plywood and tar paper.
When my co-workers and I arrived Friday morning to help restore a vacant, neglected house, it was hard to envision its future — a residence for three homeless men.
The house and surroundings were in awful shape. A few of us wondered why the structure, built in 1900, hadn’t been demolished.
The roof was a mess. Some interior beams were charred from a fire. The upstairs floor had holes you could step through. Debris and dust were everywhere inside. The situation outside was worse.
But the closer we looked, and the more we worked, signs of hope emerged in this effort known as Community Build to End Homelessness.
Teams of volunteers have been working on the house, evidenced by newly framed interior rooms, new sheet metal ductwork and new plywood on parts of the roof. The three homeless men are scheduled to move in by the end of May.
Roofers still have to finish their grueling work, tearing off three layers of roofing and replacing rotted boards, putting on new tar paper and shingles. Windows have to be installed, and then the interior work begins — plumbing, electrical, drywall, paint.
Our crew accomplished quite a bit in less than six hours. More than a dozen of us toiled outside, hauling load after load of old roofing shingles and hoisting them into a rollaway dumpster . . . trimming overgrown bushes . . . raking wet leaves . . . picking up litter and debris, including dozens of used syringes and condoms.
The house has a long way to go, mirroring the neighborhood and the hurting segment of society that it symbolizes. (The roofers arrived Friday morning to find two men who had spent the night on the back porch. By day’s end, the rear entrance was boarded up.)
We can choose to be pessimistic about the chances for this house and its prospective inhabitants. Or we can choose to be optimistic.
Syracuse’s Rescue Mission, the United Way and the many volunteers and companies are turning their optimism into action. The Community Build program has already rehabbed a nearby house, now home to five men.
If that first home doesn’t work out, or this second project falls flat . . . at least they tried.
With enough hands, money and energy, it’s astounding how quickly things can improve. At one point Friday afternoon, one of the volunteers remarked on how good the grounds looked. Another noted how full the rollaway dumpster was.
There was talk among our crew of coming back another day to help.
The end of May seems optimistic, perhaps unrealistic. But this house will be a home some day. By then, the tiny snowdrop flowers blooming in the front yard will be joined by other signs of hope and beauty.
Thank you for everything you do Jim.
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Thank you, Ellen … And same to you!
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What a worthy project – keep up the good work and optimism. That is how great things are created.
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Thanks, Amy … I hope to post an update on the house later this spring.
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Awesome job Jim! You are providing a fresh start for them and hope for the community.
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Thank you, Eva, I hope this works out for everyone involved.
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What a great idea Jim, I love it! How are neighbours feeling about it? Have you encountered NIMBYism? You have a good heart. ❤
Diana xo
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Thanks, Diana … No NIMBYs at this point. The house next door is also vacant, and it’s in a mixed-use zone with businesses and parking lots. The Rescue Mission is just 150 yards or so away, which could be a mixed blessing.
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Jim what a fantastic project and I love the flowers growing under the trees, a sign of new growth and maybe a positive change.
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Thank you, Kath … I hope this house is a success, so that others will follow suit.
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Reblogged this on Will the real reality please stand up!.
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Thank you!
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This is a fabulous project Jim — and what a symbol of hope and renewal, just like those flowers. I love that you’ve called it Community End to Homelessness. Very inspiring.
thank you for much for what you do — it is through these small and big things we all make a collective difference! Much gratitude and many hugs to you.
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Thank you, Louise … There are signs of hope all around us.
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Amazing people Jim. Amazing things have already happened. And hopefully more amazing things will come of this house. You don’t talk the talk, you are motion. Thank you.
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Thank you, Colleen … It truly was eye-opening to see how much we accomplished in less than a full work day. Many hands make light work!
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That’s the best kind of work to do. Where you see impact, and where it feels good to do it. And where you aren’t alone. 🙂
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Good work, all of you, good mission, great hope for our community. Be proud, sir.
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Privileged to read this, Jim. I worked with the homeless (women, parenting teens) before I had children. Providing shelter for the needy is a labor of love. Thank you for it.
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Thank you very much, Angie. It was a rewarding day indeed, and I’m looking forward to a return visit to further the progress.
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And I look forward to hearing about the progress. I’m rooting for all involved.
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Jim … Great work to all the volunteers who are turning this neglected house into a home. Best wishes on this project to help end homelessness. May those who live there feel the love, wishes and hopes that the community has for them. 😉
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Thanks, Judy! I’m looking forward to seeing the progress, too.
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The only time projects like this truly fail is if everyone loses hope.
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