RT-AFF and Fannie Mae Partner to Assist Burke Seniors

Volunteers from Fannie Mae joined RT-AFF to help Pedro and Ana during Fannie Mae’s SERVE impact month. The team of volunteers were excited to get out from behind their computers and help make Pedro and Ana’s home safe and take care of deferred maintenance. Pedro had been a handyman and took a lot of pride in maintaining their home but due to severe health problems he had to stop working and was no longer able to continue to tackle the maintenance issues.

The Fannie Mae volunteers worked alongside skilled RT-AFF volunteers who mentored and trained them how to make a variety of home repairs. Together they added double handrails in the split foyer home to make it easier for Pedro to go up and down the stairs. The Fannie Mae volunteers learned how to make a bathroom more accessible by installing grab bars, a handheld shower head, a shower chair, and a comfort height toilet. They also learned how to re-fasten loose stair treads to alleviate a tripping hazard. A few volunteers worked alongside electrical experts to install a new ceiling fan with a light and fixed several three-way switches that have been a nagging problem to Pedro and Ana for years.

Pedro loves to go outside but Ana was afraid he would fall due to the many tripping hazards in the yard. The volunteers did a major yard clean-up and removed branches and logs. They also re-laid pavers so they are flush with each other and safer to walk on. The team learned to cut and install wood panels to refurbish the shed and made a minor roof repair to eliminate a leak.

Pedro and Ana are thrilled with all the repairs and very grateful to Fannie Mae and RT-AFF for partnering to help them. “The handrails and bathroom modifications are a huge help to Pedro, and the yard work too,” said Ana.  “I’m less afraid that he will fall and hurt himself inside the house and out in the yard. Thank you so much!”

You can find more photos from this work day on the RT-AFF Flickr.