News : AmeriCorps NCCC Repairs Homes in Indiana

Kevin removing a base board.

By: Kristy Hawes

AmeriCorps NCCC team, Oak Seven, is rebuilding homes in Northwest Indiana. The team is working with LARRI, Lake Area Regional Recovery of Indiana to rebuild homes damaged in the 2008 floods. Although, it has been a few years since the floods, there are many homes that still remain damaged. From March 17 to April 29, Oak Seven is repairing multiple homes in the region. The team is performing various tasks such as, painting, sanding, installing flooring and installing cabinets. Many of the members have never done work of this nature before and there are new firsts everyday.

LARRI is providing a house for the group to live in. The members are spending time at the community center and local churches to learn more about the complex dynamics of the community. The team hopes to finish several homes by the time they leave. It is a priority to improve the quality of life for the occupants of these homes. The goal is to make the houses safer, healthier and more livable for people who lack the sufficient resources to do this work themselves.

This project also provides a great opportunity to explore the nearby city of Chicago. Being that the city is only a half hour from the house; the team is able to experience the culture of a brand new city. In a week from now, Oak Seven is participating in a citywide clean up as an independent service project.