HILLSIDE HOSPITAL Workers raise money to fix housing for elderly, disabled

The eventual goal is to bring the program to the Mahoning Valley.
HOWLAND -- The work of employees and patients at Forum Health Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital will help elderly and disabled people in the Cleveland area live at home longer.
The Occupational Therapy Department at Forum Health Hillside gave a $1,250 donation Monday to Rebuilding Together, a Cleveland organization that helps elderly and disabled adults to stay at home longer by rehabilitating their houses.
The department had a craft and bake sale last month to raise the money.
On June 26, which is National Rebuilding Day, employees from the hospital will volunteer with Rebuilding Together to rehabilitate 15 to 20 homes in the Cleveland area, making their occupants able to live at home longer, said Rebecca Lebron, manager of occupational therapy at Hillside.
Their goal
The ultimate goal is establishment of a local Rebuilding Together chapter.
"We're happy to help in Cleveland, but there's such a great need in the Valley as well," Lebron said.
Formation of a local chapter is in the early stages, but the hope is to establish it within about a year.
The organization performs rehabilitation projects such as ramp installation, doorway widening or lowering counters for those who use a wheelchair. Other work may include painting or any work that homeowners may not be able to complete on their own.
"It's basically anything that needs to be done," Lebron said.
The effort to help others spawned participation from Hillside patients as well as employees.
"Our patients were so excited to be actually helping someone else," Lebron said. "They stayed late in their therapy to do it. They were so energized to be trying to help someone else."