At 60 years old, Meghi Graziano began worrying about the upkeep of her home.
Her husband had grown older and couldn’t help to maintain it anymore. While she was still strong enough to do tasks like mowing the lawn or caring for the garden, harder jobs like fixing the roof were out of the question. She needed someone she could trust to come to her home and help her.
Graziano quickly learned about Umbrella of Colonie, which is part of Colonie Senior Service Centers, Inc. Through the program, seniors help other seniors with tasks around the house. Now at 65, Graziano has used the program yearly and doesn’t plan to ever stop.
“They’ve very helpful, very kind, good people. Only God knows what I’d do (without it). I have no idea,” Graziano said. “I’m very grateful for it. It’s a blessing.”
Graziano and her husband joined more than 200 other guests Wednesday, June 12, at the Beltrone Living Center to celebrate Umbrella of Colonie’s fifth anniversary. The celebration included cake and awards to some of the hardworking seniors who have dedicated their time with Umbrella of Colonie.
The home maintenance program helps 600 seniors annually, with a total of more than 5,000 jobs completed.
Bringing the home maintenance program to Colonie began when Ed Neary, executive director of CSSC, was looking for a way to help seniors keep their independence and keep living at home. After researching programs around the country, he found Schenectady’s Umbrella of the Capital District.
“They had this program for about 15 years. It seemed to be the right program for us,” Neary said.
Neary said he discussed the idea of replicating the program in Colonie with the Schenectady program director, Ron Byrne. Byrne navigated the way and in short five years, Neary said the program has been “a huge success.”
“They key to this is seniors helping seniors,” Neary said.
The program works like this: Colonie seniors pay an annual membership fee based on their annual income, and then call up the Umbrella service with maintenance they need – anything from a small job of fixing a windowpane to a larger one like building a deck. The handyman, or woman, comes to the home and works on an hourly basis, which the senior pays directly to them.
While jobs vary from home to home, about 30 percent of the jobs are structural/safety related, 27 percent is yard work and 12 percent is electrical and plumbing. Snowplowing in the winter, Neary said, is also one of the most needed jobs. Umbrella also has a 24-hour emergency line for seniors who need assistance immediately.
Finding seniors that are handy is one of the Umbrella of Colonie’s main tasks. Trustworthiness, Neary said, is one of the most important attributes. He said they perform extensive background checks on everyone who applies.
Richard Brokaw, 59, decided to work with the Umbrella of Colonie in February of 2012 when both of his parents were sick in Houston, Texas, and he wasn’t able to take care of them there. Both passed away this year, and Brokaw said he feels like helping other seniors is his way of helping them vicariously.
“It’s been outstanding. It’s such a blessing to help seniors,” Brokaw said.
In the short period of time Brokaw has worked with the program, he has worked on more than 200 jobs. Just last summer, he built three decks and repaired a furnace. He was honored with the “Helping Hands Award” for completing the most jobs while maintaining quality standards.
One way Umbrella of Colonie is different, Neary said, is that Colonie has created 14 different partnerships, including with the Town of Colonie, Citizens Bank Foundation, National Grid and CAP COM Federal Credit Union. CAP COM has supported to the Umbrella program since its start.
“We couldn’t be more proud or honored to renew for the next five years. We have seen such a dramatic impact this program has on the community,” CAP COM representative Theresa Petrone said at the event.
Director of Umbrella of Colonie Jim Quinn said one of the greatest parts about the program is the way “we touch people’s lives.”
“Colonie is the most senior-friendly town in the United States. I hear that constantly … it truly is one of a kind,” Quinn said.
Harry and Arlene Howansky were awarded the “Teamwork Award” for their excellence in service and attitude. They have been married for almost 57 years and have been working with the Umbrella of Colonie for four years. The two began working with the program together when they were looking for something to do.
Since joining, they have completed about 300 jobs, including changing wallpaper and fixing toilets.
“It’s nice because we get along. We yell at each other occasionally, but it doesn’t mean anything,” Harry Howansky, 79, said, laughing.
He added that the couple plans to work with the program as long as they can.
“We hope (to continue) as long as we’re healthy,” he said.