Hi again! This week, we visited Wise-Appalachia, VA, and McDowell, WV. I have again met many amazing people and made some great connections! Â
I want to talk about something that isnât noticed as much on ASP, loneliness that homeowners feel in their daily lives before ASP comes to help. Many homeowners this week expressed how lonely it can get in their homes. Having volunteers there brings them company and great joy. ASP’s work is life-changing, and many people think it is just because of the home repairs. But Iâve noticed this week itâs much bigger than that. Itâs about the relationships built between homeowners and volunteers. Â
Many of these homeowners are older or live alone due to the death of loved ones or other reasons. So, when volunteers arrive at their homes, it means a lot more than many of us realize. With many homeowners, you walk into their homes, and their faces light up, so happy to meet whoever walks in the door. I have loved meeting new homeowners, learning more about their story, and connecting with them. Â
I met two homeowners this week who specifically mentioned how lonely they are and how much having volunteers means to them. Ms. Margaret expressed how lonely her home feels because it is just her and her dog. She said her dog is a lot of company but is not the same as having people in her home. Margaret mentioned how she doesnât have anyone to say good morning or goodnight or do you want a cup of coffee to. As I sat there listening to her talk and express how lonely she feels sometimes, it made me sad. I wish I could stay with her and talk forever. Margaret has enjoyed having volunteers in her home to keep her company and make home repairs. Ms. Rebecca also felt this loneliness in her home and expressed it to me when I met her. Her extended family doesnât come around much, she lives alone, and she only has her daughter and grandson who come around sometimes. She also only has dogs to keep her company every day. But having the volunteers there brought her company, as she said she goes out and talks to them.  Â
âLoneliness is a disease,â as Margaret stated when talking to her. And I feel that is true. We take for granted the friends and family we get to see often because some people donât have that privilege. So if youâre volunteering with ASP, take time to talk with your homeowner; the project will get done, but itâs the relationships that will last a lifetime. The home repairs ASP completes over the summer cannot compare to the impact the relationships being built make. ASP is a relationship ministry with construction on the side, and I have truly seen that this week. Â
But I have seen this concept of relationship building every year when I have volunteered for ASP. It’s so hard to leave homeowners after a week of helping and connecting with them. Last year, our homeowner, Mr. Jerry, was the sweetest older gentleman who opened his home to us, played his guitar and sang for us, and was overall an amazing person. He even gave me a WVU hat because he knew I went to WVU and wanted to give me something. Mr. Jerry also lived alone, so it was hard to leave him after talking with him all week, knowing he would again be alone in his home. This loneliness can be seen across Appalachia, with the homeowners we help but the volunteers relieve that loneliness and it means so much even though its only for the summer. Â
So spread your wings because something as simple as smiling at someone or taking the time to talk to them can make a big difference in their day and life. Â
Until next week!Â
Haley Holcomb
Story Gathering Intern
