Over 200 volunteers renovated a dozen homes on Beech and Walnut streets in Holyoke, Massachusetts on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016 in a program with Revitalize Community Development Corp of Springfield and the city using $100,000 in federal funds and $100,000 from fundraising.
This story updates an article published at 1:16 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016: 12 Holyoke homes renovated for free in Revitalize Community Development Corp-city program
HOLYOKE -- Strangers stomped through and on top of his house at 153 Beech St. Thursday and Neil Doling appreciated the noise.
"I'm just overwhelmed really. Something I wouldn't have been able to do myself," said Doling, 57.
His was among 12 homes that over 200 volunteers renovated on Beech and Walnut streets in a program with Revitalize Community Development Corp. of Springfield and the city using $100,000 in federal funds and another $100,000 from fundraising, officials said.
The all-day work involved numerous city agencies, businesses and private organizations (see sponsor list below).
"Everybody has come together to really make this effort," said Colleen Loveless, president and CEO of Revitalize Community Development Corp.
Police closed off a lane of Beech Street as workers in green and white T-shirts wielded hammers, climbed ladders, measured materials for cutting, carried tables, pushed wheelbarrows and painted fences and benches.
The activity played out on Beech Street from Essex to Hampden streets, along with some work on Walnut Street, organizers said.
Doling's two-story brick row house was built in 1924. Work included installation of a new roof to stop the leaking, repairs to the front porch, addition of energy-efficient storm door and windows, painting, landscaping and installation of smoke detectors, Loveless said.
His mother's family bought the house on the GI Bill after his grandfather served in World War II. Doling, who now lives alone, said he is disabled and works part time as a custodian.
A crew from Beaulieu Home Improvement worked on the front porch roof and climbed ladders against the home's rear facade. The help that Revitalize Community Development arranges like the renovations in Holyoke is inspiring, said the company's Fran Beaulieu, who is on the organization's board of directors.
"They're always willing to give," Beaulieu said.
Angel Torres looked on from the sidewalk as volunteers painted the fence and did other work on the front of the row house at 147 Beech St. It's owned by his mother-in-law Graciela Rodriguez, 63, and is also his residence.
"I think it's great. It's work that I thought about doing in the near future but they got a head of me. It's great that they're thinking about the community," Torres said.
Work at 147 Beech St. included renovations to the back deck, new front steps, landscaping and painting, said Sharon Marshall of Revitalize Community Development.
"I'm excited that this is happening in Ward 4, grateful that Revitalize CDC is working together with the city and doing work block to block," said Jossie M. Valentin, the Ward 4 representative on the City Council.
The city targeted this section of Beech and Walnut streets to enhance other investments done on housing and facilities in the area as well as to address needs of families, Loveless said.
Mayor Alex B. Morse said he approved $100,000 for the project from the city's share of a federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
"This is a great partnership between the city and Revitalize CDC. House by house and block by block we will continue to improve and transform our neighborhoods. We hope this is just the beginning of this partnership and I intend to continue funding for this type of work again next year," Morse said.
Also, a fundraiser held Oct. 13 at the War Memorial here brought in over $100,000 for the project. Despite the CDBG funding in this case, Revitalize CDC projects generally consist of 80 percent to 90 percent private funding, Loveless said.
At Peasants Park at Beech and Appleton streets, volunteers painting benches included city Conservation Director Andrew Smith, Historical Commission Chairwoman Olivia Mausel and Alicia Zoeller, director of the Community Development Department.
Founded in 1992, Revitalize CDC works with donors and contractors to rebuild homes for the poor, the elderly, people with disabilities and military veterans.
Ethel Griffin, Revitalize CDC associate director, discussed the appeal of such work. She was retired as a financial analyst with the state and agreed to help the group organize its books for what she thought would be a few months, she said.
"I've been here for 13 years," Griffin said.
Renovations were done Thursday at these Holyoke addresses:
98-100 Beech St.
147 Beech St.
153 Beech St.
157 Beech St.
167-169 Beech St.
171 Beech St.
195 Beech St.
203 Beech St.
194-192 Beech St.
190 Suffolk St. (Corner of Beech Street)
206 Walnut St.
254 Walnut St.
Revitalize CDC projects also have renovated homes of military veterans here at
7 Winterberry Circle and
39-41 Clark St.
Map of Holyoke renovations: by Mike Plaisance on Scribd
List of sponsors of the Holyoke home renovations: by Mike Plaisance on Scribd