Joe Rivaldo - Home Safe Home Program
By: Maureen McGuire
Updated: January 31, 2012
On a Thursday afternoon in the summer, we found Webster resident Joe Rivaldo hard at work doing handiwork at a home in Pittsford. Rivaldo is a volunteer for Lifespan's Home Safe Home program, which helps make minor repairs and upgrades to the homes of older adults. Over the past 13 years, they've visited 6500 homes. That's more than 700 a year. "I think there's an unlimited demand for our services, but a lot of people don't know about it," Joe says. "It's impossible to do without volunteers," says Mike Gow, Coordinator for the Home Safe Home program. "Joe is irreplaceable. He's a key cog to the service."
During this visit, Joe installs a stair railing to the basement. The homeowner is 77 years old. She also needs safety grab bars in the bathroom and smoke detectors installed around the house. "There's a lot of satisfaction, instant satisfaction, because a little bit of effort on my part means a lot to the clients on the receiving end," he says.
Joe himself is retired. He's been volunteering for Home Safe Home for 6 years. He's never met anyone who isn't grateful for the work he does to make their homes better.
Comments
He's my brother in law, and I've seen him work on MANY older peoples homes.
He keeps his own father (my father in law) up to date on all home improvement safety issues.
.....Paul Doss
