Scotts Valley Home hosts 'Home Improvement' Party

Over 50 people gathered at a Scotts Valley home on Saturday, Sept. 15 for a “Home Improvement” Party.

This unique residence, known as the Glenwood House, is home to five adults with disabilities.

It is a place where people care about each other, eat together, celebrate together, laugh and coexist with one another. Each person that lives there has a health condition to improve.

Every year for the past 10 years the Glenwood House, also known as the Assisted Living Project, holds an annual dinner and raffle. This year, owners Chrystal Dunniway and Jody Cramer put a twist on the event. Instead of hosting a dinner that takes hours of preparation, they turned the annual event into a work party that included a potluck dinner and raffle.

Guests showed up at various times throughout the day to work. They painted doors, pulled weeds, repaired stairs and more.

“We had a different turnout this year,” Dunniway said. "Lots of friends and families showed up to work and volunteer their time, where otherwise they may not have come to a Saturday afternoon dinner due to other commitments."

Dunniway said she was impressed with what had been accomplished in a short amount of time. The back of the house was repainted with recycled paint they got for free from the Ben Lomond transfer station, and a new patio was laid with donated pavers.

“The Glenwood house has really shaped up in one day, thanks to all these wonderful, caring people,” Dunniway said.

Typically, the only options available for adults with disabilities are to move into nursing homes or live with family members who might not be prepared to provide proper care.   

The Glenwood House gives them the freedom to be independent by having their own rooms and offers a home-like atmosphere where residents rely on home healthcare staff to assist with daily living.

The Assisted Living Project is subsidized entirely by private donations.                  

Interested in Helping the Glenwood House? A tax-deductible contribution to ALP will help make it possible for disabled individuals to live independently

• Make a monthly pledge of $20 or more to help with expenses or contribute to the scholarship fund for those residents who need financial assistance.
• Contribute to ALP in memory of a loved one, or honor someone on a special occasion such as their birthday or anniversary.
• Encourage your company and co-workers to designate their United Way donations to ALP 
• Contact Jody at 831-438-5357 or Chrystal at 831- 338-9473

Donate Online: http://assistedlivingproject.org/support/ or click here to read more about the Assisted Living Project.

The Home Improvement party was a labor of love that included friends & family who showed true community spirit. It was a perfect day for the residents that live there and everyone at the Glenwood House looks forward to another Home Improvement party soon.