Every third Saturday, Woodlawn residents gather at SocialVenture for Woodlawn Foundation’s homeowner workshops.
The workshops, organized by Woodlawn Foundation Real Estate Director Kelleigh Gamble, are an extension of the Homeowner Rehabilitation Program that restored 44 Woodlawn homes from 2013 to 2015. The accompanying workshop series accomplishes two goals: teaching financial literacy and teaching do-it-yourself home improvement.
The workshops typically go from 9 a.m. to noon and start with coffee and doughnuts over a presentation about the Homeowner Rehabilitation Program, as well as Woodlawn Foundation’s other programs. Gamble said this is important because it informs community members about initiatives and programs they might be able to benefit from in their neighborhood.
During the workshop, representatives from organizations such as Operation Hope and Neighborhood Housing Services of Birmingham give tips on how to save, budget and become more financially stable. Gamble said something as simple as saving $25 each week for emergencies can make a huge difference for homeowners who are used to putting off home repairs due to a lack of funds.
“This way you can call a contractor right away versus having to wait a couple weeks or a month for your next round of money to come in,” he said. “Instead, you have something in place where you’re able to handle the realities of what life’s going to bring your way.”
In addition to learning about financial literacy, attendees are taught how to repair, maintain and improve their homes. Volunteers from Home Depot, one of the Rehabilitation Program’s partners, often lead the DIY sessions and offer giveaways for homeowners. From learning how to change washers to learning how to install insulation, homeowners are able to see ways they can personally maintain their homes.
“It’s just giving folks some idea of what they’re able to do on their own,” Gamble said.
For Gamble, the workshops are another way to serve homeowners beyond the ones chosen to have their homes rehabilitated by the program. The original $500,000 grant from the State Attorney General’s Office was to be used over two years on 30 houses. The program ended up working with 44 homeowners over two years, but Gamble wanted to do more.
“Education and empowerment of an existing group of folks is one of the most precious things you can offer to them, especially to folks who have been in the neighborhood for quite some time,” he said. “They own their home; they take quite a bit of pride in what they’re doing and what they’ve been able to build but just might not be aware of what they have access to.”