East End Blitz Homeowner Support

Over 25 ELPC members and friends volunteered on May 24 and June 7 at the homes of our 2007 Blitz families. Working with Open Hand Ministries (OHM) and its trade skill professional partners, we installed four new windows and two exterior doors; removed a tree and landscaped a front and back yard; erected privacy fences at two homes; repaired a ceiling, wall cracks, and an ill-fitting door; and completed minor electrical and plumbing repairs. It was a wonderful two days where God’s grace abounded.

These work days were a culmination of our year long commitment
to our 2007 Blitz families and OHM. The trade skill professional partners, Rob Boone, John Hensley, Mike Carlin, and Garrett Smith, and the donation of a custom exterior steel door from Houston Starr Building Supply were instrumental to the success of these projects. ELPC will continue to support OHM’s commitment to place first-time homeowners in quality rehabilitated housing and provide a caring community as the homeowner transitions into East Liberty and Garfield.

Thank you to our energetic and committed volunteers: Don Breitbarth, Bruce Pollock, Paul Miller, Rev. Randy Bush, Richard Bush, Diana Armstrong, Jim Russ, Tim and Maria Englehardt, Jon Nelson, Enrico Novelli, Caterina Rosano and Cecelia and Samuel, David Egelston, Michael Stanton, Jerry Swanson, Dick Headley, Ron and Rebecca Cole-Turner, Pam, Jason and Chloe Ferrante, Becky Gloninger, Betsy Davis and Pablo Espinoza, Brian DeBolt, Jan and Micah Pressman, Rod Irvin and Emily Rosenthal. Also, thank you to Diane Jackson and Pen Lytle for their donation of plants for landscaping projects.

Please review the “wish list” of material items and skills that OHM could use as it grows as an ongoing faith-based organization (see below). If you are able to help, please contact Michael Stanton, 412-400-7253, Emily Rosenthal, or the Rev. Patrice Fowler-Searcy.

Open Hand Ministries carries on the mission of the East End Blitz Partnership to provide affordable housing to low-income households in East Liberty and Garfield. OHM continues to serve new clients as they qualify for mortgages and look at houses that could be potential homes while raising funds and creating partnerships with congregations, trade skill professionals and building materials businesses. By June 2009, the ministries’ goals are to rehab three houses for three families, provide continuing support to them, and to assist four additional families through credit repair process to make them viable home owner candidates.