ABWK Regular Crew Quietly Gets the Job Done Right

Quiet and focused would be the way to describe the crew of regulars that support A Brush With Kindness (ABWK). Every Wednesday you can find them doing housing repairs that are usually a step beyond what most volunteers do with ABWK. They particularly enjoy using their carpentry skills to repair stairs, siding, decks, bathrooms, or anything else that lets them use or sharpen their skills. They love the challenges and are never afraid to take on a task.

They’re a small crew, but the results they achieve are anything but small. The day these photos were taken the crew was repairing water damage below some windows and discovered the only insulation was a few layers of newspaper, something that was common in houses built during the 1930s and early 1940s. While they were not able to install insulation throughout the house, they understood that every area they could add insulation to would lower heating costs for an owner on a low fixed income, as well as make the home more comfortable. In addition to the window repair and insulation, the crew installed a new back door that will add security, improve the weatherproofing, as well as further reducing energy costs.

Doug Hayden, the ABWK Site Supervisor working with the crew, said, “When I work with this crew, I don’t have a lot of supervising to do. Mainly, all I do is make sure they have what they need then get out of the way and watch. I learn a lot, and they get a lot done.”

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity would not be able to get nearly as much accomplished with regular crewmembers like those working with ABWK. Thank you Ellen Brown, Peter Davis, Dave Devoy, Philip Jablonecki, Don Shoeman and Bill Skinner!

Our ABWK crew is looking to add dedicated volunteers to their home repair weekly group.  If you’re interested in learning more, please contact Sean Koebeele at sean.koebele@tchabitat.org.