Teen-agers helping senior citizens with home repairs

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, June 27, 2001

LEONARD GRAY

PHOTO: Shannon Lee, 14, of Illinois, hauls yard trash from the backyard of Earline Washington of St. Rose. “I’m becoming closer to God and finding out not everybody has a perfect life,” Lee said. (Staff Photo by Leonard Gray) ST. ROSE – More than 350 Catholic teen-agers from across the country are currently in southeast Louisiana, with many in St. Charles Parish, helping senior citizens with their troubled houses. The Catholic HEART Workcamp (Helping Everyone Attain Repairs Today) has the mission to revitalize communities and beautify homes of the elderly, disabled and those who cannot afford needed repairs. The organization started in 1992 by Steve and Lisa Walker and has grown to encompass over 4,500 participants. Anyone who will be in the eighth grade in the fall, high school students, recent graduates and college students are eligible to participate.” Projects include painting, outdoor yard work, indoor cleaning, basic construction, carpentry, maintenance repairs and weatherization in poverty-stricken areas. They have joined forces with safeHarbor Coalition, a joint effort of United Way of St. Charles Parish and the St. Charles Parish Council on Aging. Though safeHarbor Coalition has been active since 1997, working with volunteers from area business and industry, this is the first year the volunteer corps was enhanced with the HEART workcamp. The youths came from as far away as Minnesota and Wisconsin and are working this week through tomorrow. One thing remarkable about the youths is that each paid for the privilege of giving up a week of summer vacation to travel across the country, doing house repair work. At least 20 homes across St. Charles Parish, the houses selected by the Council on Aging upon application by the homeowners, most of whom are too elderly and infirm to do the repairs themselves. The homes are located in Ama, Killona, New Sarpy, Luling and St. Rose. “It’s a humbling experience,” said Janice Higdon, 17, of Austin, Texas. “I can take a step back from myself and serve Christ.” Maria Sykes, 16, of Dothan, Ala., added, “I’ve been having a good time, but that’s not the point.” One squad of teen-agers gathered Monday at the home of Walter Tolliver, 70, of St. Rose. The group, including Janice and Maria, were joined by Derek Chock of Minnesota, Brad Feick of Wisconsin and Tim Kramp of Illinois. The house itself had a central air conditioning system which had leaked to such an extent as to bring down the ceiling in one bedroom and badly damaged most of the house. Tolliver, who has lived in the house since 1968, pledged, “I ain’t gonna let it get jumped up like that no more!” Another team was working four blocks along Mockingbird Lane at the home of Earline Washington, 75, cleaning walls, cutting grass and hauling trash. “It’s a blessing, because the Lord knows I couldn’t do it,” she said. Working at Washington’s house were Megan Stoelb, 16, of Wisconsin; Shannon Lee, 14, of Illinois; Claire McCullough, 16, of Austin, Texas; Ed Masline, 15, of Dothan, Ala.; and Kyle Perri, 17, of Houston. “I’m here becoming closer to God and finding out not everybody has a perfect life,” Shannon said. Industrial and commercial partners in safeHarbor Coalition include Fraternal Order of Police, Monsanto Company, OxyChem, Motiva, Entergy, Des Allemands Mennonite Church, Basell USA, H.B. Zachry Construction, TRIAD of St. Charles, Nexen, Kellogg Brown & Root and International Maintenance Corp.