Neyer Properties employees conducted a “green clean” Oct. 17 for a Northside pastor, insulating his attic and basement, caulking and filling in drafty gaps, and replacing a damaged window.
Rev. Maurice Foster, who has lived in his Kirby Avenue home for 38 years, is a storefront pastor at God Believing Temple, 1608 Chase Ave. His wife, Darlene, died last December, and he had been unable to make routine maintenance and repairs to his home. Working in Neighborhoods executive director Sr. Barbara Busch said the agency recently helped save his house from foreclosure.
Inside the Foster home, the 16-member Neyer Properties team wiped down kitchen walls and re-painted it with low VOC paint. Incandescent light bulbs throughout the house were replaced with fluorescent bulbs, and additional lighting was added.
The team also added to the home’s curb appeal by cleaning and painting the front of the house and improving the yard with landscaping.
WIN empowers people to make informed choices for themselves and their neighborhoods through community building, home ownership, and economic learning.
It helps educate first-time home-buyers, provides financial counseling services for homeowners to help avoid foreclosure, and works with homeowners and Duke Energy to help low-income families concerning energy issues, said Susan Chapin, marketing director at Neyer Properties.
The “green clean” reinforces Neyer Properties’ commitment to the environment. The work completed by Neyer associates will help lower the Foster’s energy bills, keep the home warmer and create healthier surroundings, she added.
“Every day is a good day at work, but that day was one of my favorite days all year,” said Neyer Properties president Dan Neyer. “Making a positive difference in someone’s life is as good as it gets.”
This is the second year Neyer Properties staff has helped a WIN homeowner. Dan Neyer sat on the agency’s board for more than 20 years, and is a former board president. Dan was also an inaugural inductee to the WIN Hall of Fame in 2006.
“We are pleased to have Neyer Properties as a partner in our work to help families and strengthen communities,” said Sr. Barbara Busch, WIN executive director. “Neyer Properties has consistently supported Working In Neighborhoods’ efforts to build and rehab energy-efficient homes for first-time home owners. We are so grateful that they used their time and talents to help the Foster family. We know the Fosters will be warmer and happier this winter thanks to their efforts.”