Provided by Project Mend-A-House
The Board of Directors and staff of Project Mend-A-House (PMAH) are proud to announce that our Program and Volunteer Manager, Talbot Abshire, was awarded a 2017 Coalition for Human Services Labor of Love Award for his work with PMAH. This award recognizes individuals that have demonstrated superior performance by those in the human services work force.
Mr. Abshire began his involvement with PMAH in 2015 as a volunteer. He joined the staff in January 2016 and is now responsible for managing the home repair, safety and accessibility modification program and the volunteers that participate in that program. Every year PMAH helps an average of 200 people remain safely and independently in their homes, primarily through providing home repairs and accessibility modifications.
Despite overwhelming health issues, including several surgeries, Talbot continued to show up and work hard to ensure PMAH clients were being served, even though it probably was not advisable. Even when he was forced by his condition to remain at home, he continued to work from his laptop, coordinating projects with the help of fabulous volunteers and volunteer leaders, even managing to crack a few jokes and downplay his problems in order to help others.
PMAH now has a stable and vibrant Home Repair, Safety and Accessibility Program, no small fete considering that in the 18 months prior to Mr. Abshire becoming Project and Volunteer Manager, four people held this position. Mr. Abshire crafted a stable and efficient program and has developed fantastic relationships with volunteers and clients. With this now-secure foundation, PMAH clients will benefit for years to come.
“Even in your first interaction with him, it is readily apparent that Talbot cares tremendously for our PMAH clients and for the organization. He continually goes above and beyond but the past eight months have proven that his is truly a labor of love,” said Executive Director Jennifer Schock-Bolles. “We are truly grateful for his dedication to Project Mend-A-House and the work we do.” she concluded.
