Volunteers of the Catholic Charities Wheelchair Ramp Program have been constructing ramps for elderly and/or disabled residents of Northwest Indiana since 2005. Soon, construction on the 400th ramp of the program will take place. In addition, volunteers have provided 114 home safety repairs for area residents. The goal of the program is to keep the elderly and/or disabled safely in their homes or to get them returned safely to their homes.
Why is the wheelchair ramp project so vital to Northwest Indiana residents? Because many residents cannot find anyone to do this type of service for them, or they cannot afford to have it done. The need for assistance to residents in entering and exiting their homes is increasing each year as more of the Northwest Indiana population ages. This program, through its wheelchair ramps and home safety repairs, has enabled over 500 Northwest Indiana residents to remain more independent, more in touch with their community, and has allowed them and their families, an improved quality of life.
All of the project’s labor is performed by Catholic Charities, Diocese of Gary, volunteers, staff and community volunteers, who have donated over 18,000 hours to this program.
We invite you to visit one of our construction sites this summer. In the meantime, we are enclosing photos from sites this past year. Project manager is Tom Szawara 879-9312, in Michigan City.
