Houses refurbished during Day of Caring

Randall Beach
New Haven Register
09/14/2005

NEW HAVEN — When their house renovation is complete, the men who live at 515 George St. will probably not squeal with delight like the people on the reality TV show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," but they will be quietly happy and grateful.
Those residents will also be entitled to pat themselves on the back, as they are pitching in to help with the work.

A crew began the 10-month project Tuesday morning, as part of the United Way of Greater New Haven’s Day of Caring.

The "day" extends through Friday with activities all over the area, and this phase of the house work will continue today and Thursday.

The goal of the project is to refurbish the exteriors and interiors of two old Victorian houses, the one at 515 George St. and another next door. They are owned by Liberty Community Services, a supportive housing and services provider working with people at risk of being homeless.

The restorations are happening through a partnership of the United Way of Greater New Haven, WTNH-TV, Yale University, Americares, Liberty Community Services and assorted "in-kind" providers.

American Paint & Decorating is donating the paint, Lowe’s of New Haven is supplying tools and other supplies and Bob’s Discount Furniture will donate new furnishings.

One of the men helping restore the living room and dining room Tuesday was Orlando Rivera, 43, who has lived there since March. Like the half-dozen other residents of that house, he volunteered for the project.

"I think it’s great," he said. "It’s comfortable living here, but this is something that really needs to be done, to make it more livable."

Mike Campbell, the property manager for the houses, agreed the work is "desperately needed," even though the buildings are structurally sound.

"I’m just glad everybody’s getting involved," Campbell said. "These are guys that would normally just go to their rooms. There’s some inspiration here."

Younger volunteers from New Haven Job Corps were also hard at work Tuesday.

Campbell noted the major work will be done by professionals, especially the roofs.

WTNH, an affiliate of ABC-TV, which airs "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," will be filming the project’s progress for a hometown version of the show.