Women master home repairs at 'Home How-To'
On Nov. 4, 15 women joined in song to celebrate their graduation from the 2009 Home How-To course provided by Home Repair Resource Center. Brynna Fish, one of the new graduates, led the group in an original composition –set to the tune of “If I Had a Hammer" – that described the journey these women had taken, from their first tentative use of power tools to their newfound eagerness to tackle home repairs.
Over the previous six months, class participants immersed themselves in carpentry, electrical and plumbing. From laying ceramic tile to running new circuits or replacing sinks and toilets, these women shared a growing confidence in their abilities.
Now they are ready to undertake many common repair projects themselves, saving money they would otherwise have spent on contracted jobs.
Home Repair Resource Center offers the Home How-To course each year, from late April through early November. Participants must be single women who are sole heads of house, are owner/occupants of a Cleveland Heights home, and with an anticipated gross household income within specified guidelines (see www.hrrc-ch.org/HHT.HTM for specifics).
Applications for the 2010 program will be accepted starting in January. Interested women can call Becky Stager at 216-381-9560 or visit www.hrrc-ch.org for details.
Rebecca Stager is the Repair Education Programs Coordinator for the Home Repair Resource Center.