Help us win a $25,000 to support seniors

Help us win a $25,000 grant to support high quality, community-based services that build safe, vital communities & independent older adults.

An AARP MN 2021 survey reports 78% of seniors want to age in place rather than move to congregate living. Addressing a few key items in their homes makes all the difference, but seniors struggle with the cost of home repairs and adaptations that make their homes safe and healthy places in which to age. Low-income and minority seniors seldom have funds to add grab bars or raised toilets, replace old smoke/CO detectors, or hire handiworkers. We mobilize skilled volunteers to complete vital repairs and home modifications that enable seniors to remain in the homes and neighborhoods they know and love. Our consumers share project costs based on income. Average costs: install grab bars thru tile $500, replace toilet & flooring $650, replace door/window $750-2,500, flooring repair $1,000, plumbing repairs $175, painting $400-700, build ramps $6,000. Our Home Depot Foundation grant focuses on elderly veterans; our county contract covers 1/3 of low-income seniors; leaving us a wait list of 56.

Because our use of skilled volunteers greatly reduces the expense of paid labor, materials are the primary cost of these health and safety home improvements. Our low-income and minority seniors want to participate in paying for the projects that improve their homes and take pride in doing so. By leveraging $4-9,000 in consumer contributions, this $25,000 grant enables the completion of essential projects. Based on our current wait list, we estimate State Farm grant funds, along with consumer payments, make possible the completion of 21 additional health and safety home improvement projects. In turn, by eliminating life-altering falls, hospitalizations, and burdensome medical and utility bills, these projects enable 37 seniors to age in the places they most want be. Importantly, since these funds support a project structure in which these seniors participate and contribute, the grant addresses the sense of autonomy and dignity our consumers want and deserve.

Home repairs and modifications improve the living conditions of seniors, bring tangible improvements to neighborhoods, and support important community policy goals. Seniors are the immediate beneficiaries of the improved safety, health, and well-being that result from these projects. By bringing these homes into good repair, these projects result in increased home valuations. Improvements to the exteriors also improve curb appeal. Both the increased value and upgrades to appearance boost surrounding home prices and neighborhood pride. Because these seniors remain in their homes they are not moving to expensive senior living facilities, which in SE Minnesota range in cost from $4-7,000/month. With most seniors having less than 2 years of savings to cover assisted living or nursing home care, there is considerable savings to tax payers. These repairs also increase energy efficiency and fire safety, reduce water usage, and preserve affordable houses - an important goal in Olmsted County.

We need you to rally behind Neighbors Helping Neighbors Home Repair/Adaptation. Cast your votes and help us reach others! Here is how:

• On April 27, click https://www.neighborhoodassist.com/entry/2042195?tmaadmin=cx5wne6n59n58uaa and vote for Neighbors Helping Neighbors Home Repair/Adaptation .
• Voting is open from 11:00:00 A.M. CT on Wednesday, April 27 until Friday, May 6 at 10:59:59 P.M. CT.
• Remember you can vote up to 10 times per day, every day for our cause. (We will be sending you daily reminders.)
• If you are on any of the social media platforms below. Please friend or follow Family Service Rochester. Watch for our posts over the coming days and share them with your social networks.

State Farm Neighborhood Assist is a crowd-sourced philanthropic initiative that empowers communities to identify issues in their neighborhoods The State Farm Review Committee selected the top 200 finalists from 4,000 submissions. Winners announced June 7.

Please help us break into the top 100 and receive $25,000 to support Neighbors Helping Neighbors Home Repair/Adaptation. Ten days. Ten votes a day. We need your 100 votes to be one of the 100 causes receiving $25,000 from State Farm Neighborhood Assist!

Thanks for your support,