On April 20, a local sober living facility received a much-needed facelift.
The Refuge Ministry Recovery Center, located on Sullivant Avenue benefited from the kindness, generosity and skills of 12 members from various Local Unions affiliated with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 6.
The volunteer work was performed as part of the IUPAT’s Annual Day of Community Action. Similar volunteer efforts were completed the same day in Cleveland and Cincinnati.
Chris Naegele, Business Representative/Organizer for IUPAT Local 1275, said volunteers prepped walls, caulked and painted the interior of the three-story building, which houses men.
The facelift was badly needed within the structure, where the first floor serves as the cafeteria, while the other two floors are used as dorm rooms.
“I am very proud with the amount of work that was (done) there,” said Naegele. “The members pulled through and did the job and did it well.
“Our members realize there are folks out there who are in need of help,” he added. “What better way to give back to our communities but by doing something we do well every day.”
The project would not have been possible without signatory contractor W.F. Bolin Painting Co., who donated 20 gallons of interior paint and 45 gallons of exterior paint.
According to their website, Refuge Ministry offers faith-based, free residential rehabilitation ministries, taking individuals from homelessness and hopelessness to homeownership and empowering responsible people of God for the rest of their lives.
“The residents and staff are very happy with the work we have and will do on the project,” Naegele said. “They were happy to come back from time with their families during the Easter weekend to a clean and freshly painted space.”
Due to the weather, volunteers were unable to paint the building’s exterior. When time and weather permit later this year, Naegele hopes volunteers will return to paint the exterior of the building as well.
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