Jake and Jerushah Williams purchased their home on Webb Street in Detroit’s Durfee-Central neighborhood more than 2 years ago but have yet to move into their home. That’s about to change.
This week, two Wallside Windows crews spent two full days replacing windows on homes in this neighborhood. In all, fifteen homes received custom-made Wallside Windows. And the Williams were just one of many families who were happy to greet them.
The Williams’ two-story house was partially gutted and they are in the process of restoring it for their family – Jake, Jerushah and their 8 children.
On January 16, 2019, Wallside Windows helped make part of that renovation project easier – thanks to a longtime partnership the Michigan company has with Life Remodeled.
Wallside Windows Adam Blanck visits the Williams family during the Life Remodeled project in Detroit.
Life Remodeled is a non-profit dedicated to the revitalization of Detroit. The organization activates volunteers and community partners – like Wallside Windows - to help improve neighborhoods in Detroit that show a significant need and radical hope. Since 2017, Life Remodeled has set its sights on the neighborhood surrounding Durfee Elementary-Middle School and Central High School in Detroit.
Rick Torri, a project manager who volunteers for Life Remodeled and a retired architect, said this particular region has been an area of focus for a few years and will continue to be. “We may stay in this area for 1 or 2 more years,” he said.
That’s meaningful to the professionals at Wallside Windows, too. Wallside’s founder, Martin Blanck and his wife, Lorraine, grew up in this neighborhood.
“This is where we started,” said Adam Blanck, chief of staff for Wallside Windows. “We’ve been improving homes in and around Detroit since 1944. This partnership is the perfect way to celebrate 75 years of Wallside and our commitment to the community. We’re so excited to be part of it.”
Those – like the Williams family – who received some of the 75 new, custom-made, energy-efficient replacement windows during this process were applicants to Life Remodeled. Every homeowner underwent a vetting process to determine need and match those needs with resources. The Williams family is primarily living in a trailer and on the basement level of their home while they work toward renovating it. They simply could not afford to replace the windows needed in this major project.
Jerushah was relieved to find Life Remodeled and applied for the assistance. When she found out Wallside would be coming to replace a few of those windows free-of-charge, she said the addition of upstairs windows will allow the family to access more of their home. Within a few months, she said they can even begin to sleep there.
Installers volunteered to place windows in freezing temperatures as part of Life Remodeled this week.
“I heard really good things about Wallside,” Jerushah said. “You know what you’re putting in is good quality.”
Tony Scorpio Jr. was among the installers working on the Williams home this week. “Working with Life Remodeled is always a good thing to do,” he said. “You see the impact more on project like this. The homeowners seem more appreciative.
Since 2015, Wallside Windows has donated more than 270 high-quality vinyl replacement windows to Life Remodeled. This week, Wallside will add another 75 windows to that total. It’s all part of the ongoing commitment they share with Life Remodeled to make an impact in the city.
These windows will allow the Williams family to access more of their home while they complete removations.
“It’s a fast-paced environment but I love what I do for a living,” Tony added. “It doesn’t feel like work. Here, you can feel you’re helping someone else. That matters. We’re doing something for the community.”
Learn more about Life Remodeled to volunteer or donate to a future project at http://liferemodeled.com.
Are you seeking new replacement windows? Contact at Wallside Windows for a free estimate https://wallsidewindows.com/estimate/ or call 1-800- 521-7800.
