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SAWs Builds Life-Changing Wheelchair Ramps in Dearborn County

Thanks to the generous support of the Dearborn County Community Foundation (DCCF), SAWs (Servants at Work) was able to construct seven ADA-compliant wheelchair ramps for low-income residents in Dearborn County who faced significant mobility challenges. These ramps have made a tremendous difference in the lives of individuals and their caregivers, offering newfound freedom and independence to safely come and go from their homes.

Marguerite and SAWs volunteers in Guilford.

Marguerite, an 82-year-old widow living alone in her home of over 30 years, struggles with limited mobility due to several medical conditions. She uses a manual wheelchair but has difficulty using her current ramp, which her son built years ago. The design of the existing ramp makes it challenging for Marguerite to safely exit her home for medical appointments or emergencies. With limited funds and increasing mobility needs, she was in desperate need of a new, straight ramp to ensure her safety and independence. Thanks to this grant, SAWs was able to provide her with the accessibility she needed.

This project didn’t just impact our clients—it also brought together 50-75 volunteers from the local community, offering them a chance to make a tangible difference and support their neighbors in need. The grant funds from DCCF made it possible for us to serve these families more quickly, ensuring materials were readily available for each ramp build.

In addition to staying under budget for the ramps, we have funds available for future projects in Dearborn County. We look forward to continuing our partnership with DCCF to meet the growing demand for mobility ramps in Southeast Indiana.

Thank you, Dearborn County Community Foundation, for your unwavering support and dedication to improving the lives of local residents!

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What’s Happening in the Hubs

Collaboration between St. Joseph County and Lake County

Recently, the SAWs St. Joseph team installed a ramp for thirteen-year-old Giuliana, who suffered from a spinal cord injury when her family’s vehicle was hit head-on by a drunk driver and is now confined to a wheelchair. Giuliana’s mother struggled to get her in and out of the home even when using the front door.

The temporary fix was a metal wheelchair ramp that was donated to the Lake County SAWs team by a widow who had purchased it for her late husband. The SAWs Lake County Area Coordinator, Kathy Giannini, worked with the SAWs St. Joseph Area Coordinator, Frank Aquila, to get the ramp from Lake County to Giuliana’s home in St. Joseph County using a local U-Haul truck and trailer that was graciously donated to move the ramp.

Kathy met Frank at the family’s temporary home to deliver the ramp. To make the temporary ramp functional a small wooden platform was constructed, and now Giuliana was free to leave her home without the help of her mother. She zipped up and down the ramp with confidence and smiled from ear to ear.

This collaboration was a win-win for all parties. Not only was SAWs able to help Giuliana provide freedom at her temporary home, but when the family moves to their permanent home, SAWs will be there to build Giuliana a permanent ramp and then reuse the metal ramp for another client in need…. paying it forward.