Building Freedom and Independence Across Indiana
Servants at Work (SAWs) is honored to receive a $25,000 grant from Glick Philanthropies to support the organization’s mission of building freedom and independence through accessibility ramps for individuals living with mobility challenges.
The grant provides general operating support, allowing SAWs the flexibility to direct resources where they are needed most as demand for accessibility ramps continues to grow across Indiana.
Founded in 2003 by Rik Hagarty in a church parking lot, SAWs has grown into one of the nation’s leading accessibility ramp organizations. Since its founding, SAWs has built more than 5,000 ramps and now serves 70 Indiana counties, helping older adults, veterans, and people with disabilities safely access their homes and communities.
In 2024 alone, SAWs built a record 560 ramps, and the organization is working toward an ambitious goal of constructing 650 ramps annually to meet increasing community need.
General operating support grants are especially valuable because they help sustain the day-to-day work that makes ramp construction possible. Funding can support volunteer recruitment and training, project coordination, safety programs, client services, outreach efforts, and the operational infrastructure required to deliver life-changing accessibility solutions to Indiana residents.
“Every ramp we build represents freedom, dignity, and independence for someone who simply wants to leave their home safely,” said Tim Thurston, Executive Director of Servants at Work. “We are incredibly grateful to Glick Philanthropies for investing in our mission. Flexible funding like this allows us to respond to growing demand, strengthen our volunteer network, and ensure that more people can regain access to the world beyond their front door.”
For many SAWs clients, a ramp is far more than a structure. It can mean attending medical appointments, returning to work, visiting family, participating in community life, or simply enjoying the outdoors without fear of injury.
“Everyone deserves to feel like an important part of their community,” said Marianne Glick, chair of the Glick Family Foundation. “Whether that means being involved in the arts, earning a degree, or becoming more civically engaged, every person plays a role. Difficult circumstances such as rising grocery prices and diminishing social services can make it more challenging to be active in our communities. We are confident that organizations such as Servants at Work will help alleviate the hardships our neighbors face and expand opportunities for meaningful community connection.”
Glick Philanthropies is an Indianapolis-based family of charitable initiatives dedicated to building community and creating opportunity that empowers every person to reach their full potential. Since 1982, Glick Philanthropies has awarded more than $346 million to charitable causes in Central Indiana and communities where the Glick Company operates.
As SAWs continues expanding its impact across Indiana, partnerships with organizations like Glick Philanthropies help ensure that individuals with mobility challenges can live more safely, independently, and connected to the communities they call home.
About Servants at Work (SAWs)
Servants at Work (SAWs) is a nonprofit organization that builds accessibility ramps for individuals with mobility disabilities and aging adults. Guided by faith and driven by volunteers, SAWs creates life-changing access to homes and communities through safe, professionally built ramps. Since 2003, SAWs has completed more than 5,000 ramps and serves communities throughout Indiana, as well as affiliate locations in Virginia and Arizona.
To learn more, volunteer, donate, or apply for a ramp, visit www.sawsramps.org.