Business Women United joined with the Valparaiso University football team to help clean and restore a new office location for Housing Opportunities. Covered in paint, plaster and primer, the volunteers worked with a smile, happy to spend their Saturday supporting a great nonprofit organization.
Kathleen McClure of Housing Opportunities headed up the event, delegating how the women and friends of BWU could help fix up the new offices.
When asked how they connected with Housing Opportunities, one of the founders of BWU, Amy Petri said, “We have a women’s group that meets every month. At the end of our meetings, we choose our favorite nonprofit to support, and Housing Opportunities came up. They’re doing great things and keep getting more and more recognition from the community.”
Caroline Shook of Housing Opportunities said “We need more space, because we‘re growing in staff.” They were just awarded a large program from the state called “Hardest Hit Funds” for unemployed citizens who are hit with mortgage bills. This program helps them make the payment on their loans while facing unemployment, so they are able to focus on finding a job.
With new programs and buildings comes the disposal of the old, which the VU football team took pride in, turning what could have been a dull cleaning project into a cataclysm of mass destruction and fun. They tossed chairs, tables, pottery and beds over the balcony, yelling with the explosion of wood and ceramic. However, despite their enthusiasm, the coaches persuaded them not to throw any of the TV’s off the balcony.
“The VU football players reached out to us. We put out several articles asking for volunteers, and they grabbed the opportunity”, Caroline said.
With the community coming together to give time and energy to the efforts of Housing Opportunities, they are in a much better position to be effective within the community and help those who can’t help themselves.
The new office location is more central to their purposes, located right next to the shelter, as well as making it easier for people to know where they are - right on the V-line. They believed the new office wouldn’t be open until the end of May, however, because of the community providing them with the help they needed, they’re moving in April 7th and 8th.
Click here if you’re looking for an opportunity to help out the community and give to the efforts of Housing Opportunities!!
Click here to see more photos of our community coming together!!!