When Summit County Clubhouse – a local nonprofit dedicated to ending social and financial isolation for people impacted by mental illness – recently requested a quote to replace the siding on their clubhouse, they were shocked by the number.
The initial quote was $70,000, which would have required a significant amount of time and effort in fundraising, diverting the small nonprofit from its core mission. “We’ve had four new community members arriving with urgent housing and employment needs in September alone. Diverting staff time for fundraising and siding installation would pull us away from the work of meeting our new members’ needs for community, connection, and basic need services,” says Jen O’Brien, Executive Director of Summit County Clubhouse.
O’Brien reached out to Shellie Barrus, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Summit and Wasatch Counties, for help, and found a willing partner with the resources, volunteers, and expertise she needed. And through the Serve Park City day of service, the community came together to help.
How Serve Park City Volunteer Day Got the Project Underway
With Habitat providing construction management, supplying necessary equipment like tools and hard hats, enlisting volunteers for a day of service, and finding a building supplier, LP Building Solutions, to donate materials, the re-siding project got started.
On Sept. 13, during Park City’s second annual community-wide day of service, about 25 volunteers from Summit County Clubhouse and local members of the community took part in removing all the siding from the building and preparing to put up new siding.
Finishing Touches & Lasting Impact of the Day of Service
The next steps: First, Timberline Custom Homes assisted with installing the wrap on the house. Then Big-D Signature, a luxury resorts & residences builder based in Park City, assisted with installing the siding and painting.
The result: a fresh new look for the clubhouse, updated and more waterproof to minimize water damage. And the impact has been powerful. “Everyone brought their skills, energy, and willingness to help, which transformed a big project into a shared accomplishment,” Barrus says. “Watching people from different backgrounds come together with a common purpose has been inspiring. And the fresh new look of the Clubhouse – and that it is now updated and more waterproof and should last for many years – is so meaningful for the Clubhouse. It is so meaningful what collaboration can achieve."
O’Brien agrees. “I love seeing the Big-D Signature team working side by side with clubhouse members and volunteers,” she says. “When I see them all sitting around the table during lunch break each day, I am reminded how meaningful relationships are formed here at the clubhouse through work. Connection is a key ingredient for those with mental health challenges, and the relationships made through this project are wonderful to see.”
The Important Role Summit County Clubhouse Plays in Our Community
Summit County Clubhouse helps people with mental health and substance abuse issues through productive work, direct support, and building meaningful relationships. The clubhouse, which serves 77 members, provides daily support and addresses food insecurity. The house itself is key to their work.
Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity
The importance of volunteer work: “Volunteer days give community members a chance to roll up their sleeves and directly contribute to projects that make a lasting difference,” Barrus says. “They not only help us accomplish important work more quickly, but they also create meaningful connections between volunteers, local organizations, and the people we serve.”
Serve Park City is not the only way to get involved in our community, join Habitat for Humanity of Summit & Wasatch Counties mailing list to read our newsletter and find out about upcoming events, days of service, and volunteer opportunities with Habitat.
