The purpose of this initiative is to help maintain or enhance the property of those senior citizens and special needs residents of Griffith, IN who suffer from economic or physical hardships. It is also designed to bring together the citizens of Griffith by allowing them to take a more active role in the improvement and upkeep of their community. Many Griffith residents are getting older and are u
nable to keep up with routine maintenance and repairs to their properties. In some cases, exterior properties have code violations or undesirable disrepair (e.g., unable to mow lawn, fallen tree clean-up, broken window, etc.) For some of these residents, they just do not have the means (physical or financial) to address those issues. The community would like to help these residents bring their properties back into good standing with code and whatever other simple enhancements that would beautify the neighborhood in general. Some special needs/disabled residents also have similar issues and would benefit from a community volunteer initiative to uplift those who have less ability. The implementation of this program involves the collaboration of several community organizations: Griffith Community Initiative (a volunteer community organization), Griffith Lutheran Church, Griffith Council of Churches, Carpenters Union, Electricians Union, Town of Griffith, Indiana University Northwest’s Center for Urban Regional Excellence, Griffith YMCA, South Shore Dance Alliance Inc., Griffith Police Department, Boy Scouts Troop 264, individual volunteers, and local businesses. The goal of this initiative is not only to beatify degrading properties, but also to encourage and promote a strong sense of community pride. We believe that by encouraging community stakeholders to work together with both the older and the newer members of the community, they will to maintain that tight sense of community that Griffith has come to be known for. By working together to help maintain the homes of the senior and special needs residents, we insure that the economic, cultural and social viability of the community remains intact.
