Returned Peace Corps Volunteers Winterize Homes
On Dec. 3. members of the Chicago Area Peace Corps Association (CAPCA) worked to winterize the homes of senior citizens on Chicagos south and west sides.
The fourteen volunteers joined a local non-profit H.O.M.E., (Housing Opportunities and Maintenance for the Elderly) and installed plastic insulation on drafty windows.
According to Mary Owen, a CAPCA rep, many of the seniors live in older homes and the insulation allows them to cut down on heating costs this winter.
Mike Laz, who coordinates volunteers for H.O.M.E., said the seniors were chosen based on need and often do not have the physical or financial ability to maintain their homes.
Kathy Kacen, CAPCA president said this is the 22nd year that the organization has partnered with H.O.M.E. In the beginning, CAPCA and H.O.M.E. joined forces for painting projects now the organizations team up for home winterization efforts.
CAPCA is a non-profit organization of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCV) who has volunteered abroad and wants to continue to serve when they return to the Chicago area.
The CAPCA was founded in 1979 and incorporated in 1991 as a non-profit. CAPCA consists of 350 RPCVs.
The group is associated with the National Peace Corps Association in Washington D.C.
Our mission is to support our communities, both local and global, by continuing to volunteer in and promote community service, education and cross cultural understanding, said Kacen.
Senior citizens Kacen has worked with are very appreciative. This year, her team winterized the home of a senior named Betty in the Austin community.
We covered 12 of her windows with the winterization materials to help cut down on the cold air and heat loss. Betty is 72 and this work would have been almost impossible. Although three of our CAPCA members were over 60 years old also, the team work made it possible for us to do. Betty thanked us and prayed for our safety in our journeys through life, she said.
Winterizing homes is one of CAPCAs favorite annual service projects. CAPCA partners with many local not-for-profits and other organizations to conduct community service.
The Chicago Citizen asked Kacen why RPCVs join the CAPCA.
For most of us, our Peace Corps volunteer experience was a rewarding, fulfilling and transformative part of our life. Although each of our experiences was unique, we share a fundamental belief in volunteer service, and creating better communities. Our members have spent two years overseas engaged in the challenging work of education, health, small business, youth and community development. In addition, we have learned new languages, adapted to different cultures and integrated ourselves successfully into other communities. Our members return home to Chicago to invest those leadership skills and knowledge into our communities. CAPCA helps to support those efforts, Kacen said.
by Thelma Sardin
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