FROM TERRI JOHNSON, COMMUNITY HEALTH AGING COORDINATOR, HeART PROJECT

Antigo, WI, November 30, 2020 – Healthy Aging in Rural Towns (HeART) Project, Langlade County Habitat for Humanity, and Mid-State Independent Living Choices, received a grant from CoVantage Credit Union to support Langlade County Home Safety Program.

The Home Safety Program is an opportunity for older adult residents to receive a free home safety assessment and recommended modifications to keep Langlade County’s adult population safe in their homes. With the support from CoVantage Credit Union, the Home Safety project will also provide recommended modifications with a professional contractor, if the home owner wishes.

Mid-State Independent Living Choices will provide the in-home accessibility assessments, and HeART Project will provide the equipment and/or supplies needed for modifications. In addition, Habitat for Humanity will install temporary ramps to residents awaiting permanent ramps.

“This is another great example of the community coming together to solve an important problem. We needed funding and a process to ensure our older adults are safely independent in their homes. We are really excited to get started come the New Year,” said Terri Johnson, Community Health Aging Coordinator/HeART Project.

Eric Riskus, From Mid-State Independent Living Choices, echoed these sentiments, “Collaborating with other providers in the community to design a process allows all of us to work together on behalf of people with disabilities to become an incredible resource for a small community.”

The funding will provide home safety assessments and modifications for 30 homes in 2021. An application process will be launched in early 2021.

“For us, giving to the Home Safety Program is a perfect way to live our mission of giving back to the communities we serve,” stated Stacy Bouche, Chief Mortgage Lending Officer at CoVantage Credit Union and President of Habitat for Humanity of Langlade County. “Making homes safe for local families is a great match for those of us that volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, and we are thrilled to help support the work being done by the HeART Project.”

Building a Healthier Langlade County Healthy Aging in Rural Towns (HeART) is a 2.5 year grant funded effort to help older adults live safely and independently. More information can be found at www.alcinfo.com/heart.