Couleecap’s Weatherization Program Provides Tranquility, Safety, and Comfort
When it was done, I felt empowered. I thought ‘Wow! I pulled this together and I found people I could trust.’” -Sarah
A home should be a sanctuary, a place for peace and quiet. A place to unwind after a long day. But sometimes there are aspects of one’s home that take away from the tranquility, safety, and comfort. When that is the case, Couleecap’s home weatherization and home rehabilitation program maybe able to help.
Sarah Caldwell enjoys the December morning tucked inside herquaint and colorful home in Viroqua. “I like to run a warm home,” Sarah notes as she pulls on her leather gloves to toss a log into her small kitchen wood stove. “I always knew I’d want to use a wood stove in this home, but when I bought the home, the furnace was already 35 years old. There was a bid in ahead of mine to purchase the home, that backed out because of the age of the furnace. It was always something looming in the back of my mind, what if I did need to turn it on and then it wouldn’t work? What would I do? I’m very grateful to have a new one now.” Sarah who has worked in the healthcare field for over 14 years found her home in need of various renovations to help make it a comfortable and safe space for her to unwind after a hard day at work.
Earlier this year after being on the waiting list, enduring COVID-related supply chain shortages and challenges finding available contractors, Sarah was finally able to complete the process of her home renovations with Couleecap. “There is a learning curve. Making calls to contractorsand working to not seem so green to the process. At times it could feel like I was walking on the gang plank above crocodiles,” Sarah added with a chuckle. “I found myself praying for guidance to helpwork through the process. After talking to a client I work with I was able to make a connection with a local contractor who was happy to work with Couleecap and me and he really went above and beyond,” Sarah explained. With the help of her contractor, they were able to secure local, honest, and trustworthy sub-contractors that helped make the process easier. Although the struggles of the pandemic made supplies difficult to source at times, the contractor was able to work through obstacles with Sarah and Couleecap to accomplish the goal while accommodating Sarah’s needs. “When it was done, I felt empowered. I thought ‘Wow! I pulled this together and I found people I could trust.’”
