Paulette Cook has long been a fan of Proviso Township’s Handyman Program that offers relatively cheap repairs for senior homeowners or any homeowner who is disabled.
She recommends those who need help to contact the township.
And now, thanks to a grant from La Grange-based Aging Care Connections, those household repairs and projects are being offered free of charge. Aging Care Connections is now covering the $5 gas surcharge and cost of any parts, if needed, for those who take advantage of the Township’s Handyman Program.
That’s great news for homeowners, said Cook, who lives in Broadview.
“I’ve been here for 31 years,” she said. “I’m 70. I started (using the program) when I was 60. I have utilized Proviso Township Handyman Services for quite some time.”
Earlier this month, her mailbox which had fallen off its moorings, was repaired by one of the handymen. He was in Westchester on another job, came over and fixed it in 20 minutes, she said.
“I’ve never had any complaints. I’ve never had to have anything be redone,” Cook said. “I know them now by voice. They’re fantastic. I’m quite pleased with them.”
At her home, the handymen have assembled two computer chairs and four six-foot tall metal shelves, repaired a ceiling fan, fixed a tear in a screen door, assembled two outdoor benches in her back yard, put together tables and installed a handrail for the steps leading down to her basement.
A dawn-to-dusk light fixture on her backyard patio was also recently repaired, she said.
“It’s not so much them coming to do the small repairs. It’s the expertise to make sure things are the way they want it to be,” Cook said.
That peace of mind – now available free of charge – is comforting, Cook said.
“Five dollars for the gas fee has not changed since I’ve been utilizing them from the beginning,” she said. “I really appreciate them. I really do.”
Proviso Township Supervisor Michael Corrigan, in a statement issued by the township praised “the community support and collaboration that we have with the social service agencies in our township”
“So much of good, effective government is about the partnerships that are cultivated for the benefit of the residents and it’s clear that our partnership with Aging Care Connections is a strong one,” Corrigan said.
Carlos Vilchis, 49, director of the Handyman Program for Proviso Township the past nine years, is glad he and others can help so many residents.
Not having the $5 fee “means a lot because there’s a lot of need for assistance. That could be a meal for a lot of them,” he said.
The program has six handymen in the field and three in-office employees, he said. It’s busy — they are booked two weeks in advance, he said in early August. They often have 10 to 15 jobs a day.
“I take pride in what I do. I just wish when I’m at that age, I have someone looking out for me,” said Vilchis, a cancer survivor.
“I see life in different perspective,” added Vilchis, who is in remission six years after a bout with leukemia.
He thinks being in charge of the program “is the purpose of my life.”
“I think God is having me do this. I’m doing it with a big smile and a happy heart,” Vilchis said.
More Top Picks Best Asics Shoes With Good
The program provides basic repair services for issues such as leaky faucets, light switches, or even just changing a light bulb.
If a job requires more specialized service, the township provides referrals to specialists who have been vetted.
“A lot (of companies) on our list have discounts for the seniors,” Vilchis said.
The Proviso Township Handyman Program is for people age 60 and over, or any person with a disability of any age, who own a home in Proviso Township.
The $5 fee will be waived as long as funding from Aging Care Connections is available.
“Our older adults helped build the communities we enjoy today,” said Aging Care Connections Executive Director Desiree Scully in a prepared statement. “They spent their lives caring for families, serving neighbors and strengthening our communities. Now it’s our turn to ensure they have the support they need to age with dignity and independence.”
A former delivery driver, Vilchis said he learned about basic home repairs from his late father, Fernando.
“My dad was pretty handy. He taught us to work on cars and do minor repairs. I had the knowledge to use my hands,” he said.
Those interested in the Proviso Township Handyman service need to complete a brief intake form before scheduling an appointment. The form can be found on the Township website www.provisotownship.gov, under the “Register Online Now” section or over the phone at 708-547-4001.
“I recommend this to everyone I know,” Cook added. “All of (the handymen) are professionals.”
Aging Care Connections in January initiated contact regarding a strategic collaboration to benefit senior homeowners in Proviso Township, Vilchis said. The start date was set for May 1.
Through the first three months of the program, 763 clients have been served with $5,913 collected from Aging Care Connections, he said.
“Our combined efforts have significantly enhanced the support and services available to our senior community, Vilchis said in an email.”
Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.