10 Feb Opening Doors to Independence
Earlier this year, we awarded a $5,250 grant from the Hardesty Memorial Endowment Fund to Servants At Work (SAWs) to help improve home accessibility for low-income Starke County residents living with long-term or permanent disabilities.
For many individuals, something as small as a few concrete steps or an uneven doorway can make entering or leaving their own home nearly impossible. While accessibility standards exist for public spaces, the cost of installing a wheelchair ramp at a private residence, often $4,000 to $8,000 through a contractor, is out of reach for many families. SAWs fills that gap by building high-quality, ADA-compliant wooden ramps at no cost to the individuals they serve.
With this grant, SAWs was able to construct three new wheelchair ramps for qualified Starke County residents, restoring safe, independent access to their homes. These ramps make it possible for individuals to attend medical appointments, leave home in emergencies, and reengage with everyday life.
Since 2022, SAWs has built 19 ramps in Starke County alone, responding to a growing need driven by an aging population and increasing mobility challenges. One recent recipient, a right-leg amputee, shared that he is now able to enter and exit his home independently and no longer misses critical medical appointments.
We are grateful to partner with organizations like Servants At Work whose hands-on work delivers lasting impact by opening doors, restoring dignity, and strengthening our community one home at a time.