Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver
The Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver podcast offers a candid, unfiltered space to confess the good, the bad, and the ugly of being a caregiver through storytelling, guest interviews, and information sharing. JJ & Natalie are a dynamic duo of sisters supporting their mom living with Parkinson's and a husband who survived cancer. Along with their guests, they discuss their shared experiences in caregiving. Viewers and listeners alike will relate to our reluctance, be affirmed in their ability to be caregivers and gain the courage to confidently step out of the shadows to express their own needs. You are sure to laugh, cry, and everything in between but in the end, all will leave feeling better for the journey and part of the sisterhood of care. So grab your favorite guilty pleasure, and let's get to confessing!
Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver
Renovating Lives: How Renovation Alliance is Transforming Lives through Home Renovation
Kendall Cloeter's passion for affordable housing and community revitalization shines through in her work with the Renovation Alliance. As a self-described "social worker by trade," Kendall brings a deep understanding of the challenges low-income homeowners face in the Roanoke Valley and a commitment to making a difference.
Under Kendall's leadership, the Renovation Alliance has grown from a small group of 50 volunteers rebuilding just five homes 25 years ago to an organization that now aims to serve 100 homes annually. Kendall's dedication to preserving affordable housing and empowering homeowners to age in place with dignity is genuinely inspiring. Through a combination of volunteer labor and skilled professional partnerships, the Renovation Alliance tackles a wide range of critical home repairs, from simple tasks like installing grab bars to more complex projects like HVAC replacements.
Kendall's insights into the impact of the Renovation Alliance's work are both heartwarming and eye-opening. By preserving homeownership and the equity that comes with it, the organization is helping to address issues of generational wealth and social justice. Moreover, the Renovation Alliance's focus on prioritizing the needs of older adults, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and single-parent households with young children underscores their holistic approach to community revitalization. Kendall's passion for this work shines through as she shares the stories of homeowners who have regained their independence and sense of pride in their homes while strengthening the fabric of the Roanoke community.
About Kendall:
Kendall Cloeter, a native of Roanoke, Virginia, is deeply connected to her community, where she now raises her family. Holding a Master of Social Work degree, Kendall discovered her passion for affordable housing while serving in AmeriCorps with Renovation Alliance, the organization she proudly rejoined in 2023. Her work in AmeriCorps ignited her commitment to preserving affordable housing and enhancing housing quality.
During her time in Richmond, Virginia, Kendall spent five years addressing housing and homelessness issues with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. This experience broadened her understanding of housing challenges and strengthened her dedication to making a difference. Returning to Renovation Alliance, Kendall applies her expertise to support her community and advocate for improved housing solutions.
Kendall resides in Roanoke County with her husband, two children, and their dog, Franklin.
Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver
Sisterhood of Care, LLC
Hey guys, it's your favorite, sisters with the Confessions of a reluctant caregiver. Show. On the show, you'll hear caregivers confessing the good, the bad and the completely unexpected. You're guaranteed to relate, be inspired, leave with helpful tips and resources, and, of course, laugh. Today's episode is part of our special series, heroes caring for heroes. We're featuring organizations who offer services and support to our hero caregivers. Now let's listen in as we learn more about these amazing organizations. Hey, Jay,
Unknown:Hi Natalie.
Natalie:It is so wonderful to be with you today. I
JJ:have to tell you something. Well, I'm super excited about what's that? First of all, you're not singing, and I'm really grateful for that. And then secondly, we have an in studio guest. That's
Natalie:what I'm really excited about. I nearly, I almost started singing with the whole in studio. But before we get to that, yes, this is, this is super special. Not only do we have the we're recording at PBS. Yes, we are an in studio.
JJ:So we're big girls, absolutely.
Natalie:But we have a guest here in person, the first one ever, I know, right? And it's our heroes caring for heroes. Special Series, absolutely
JJ:sponsored by CBS health, who we love, and Tena. They are the number one adult in Commons brand. They have made this series happen. So we're super excited, very happy to
Natalie:both of them. And so I'm gonna tell you at some point. Kendall, I might sing. I might break into song. I've already sung this morning once this morning so and Jason sing along too. We do Kindle. Are you a singer? Privately, like that was like, I didn't ask if anything was off limits. And you're like, see,
JJ:in the shower only Well,
Unknown:or the car, my daughter's really into frozen. So we rip off of Elsa a lot. So in other words,
Natalie:let it go. Let it go. So
JJ:so sorry. Let it snow. Or let's introduce the guests. Let's do it. We're gonna move on. I'm so sorry, folks. So thank you for listening to heroes, caring for heroes. This is one of our education series, which, these are some of the series that eyes above. And Kendall. We've got Kendall Claytor with us today, and Kendall is with renovation Alliance, yeah. And I, you know how I love construction. You do have a love of I do. I have my contractor license. I'm going to volunteer for this group.
Natalie:Random Act of, nobody would think that JJ could hold a hammer. It's me,
JJ:really it did? You really say that I did. But keep going. Okay, sorry. So we are so excited to introduce a renovation Alliance today. Okay, I'm gonna tell you guys what they do. They focus on improving the homes and lives of low income homeowners while ensuring affordable housing options are available. And they revitalize communities. I love them. Love that they work with volunteers. They do a little fundraising. I think they're fantastic. They provide critical home repair services in the Roanoke Valley. That's Roanoke Virginia. We do love Roanoke. I know the valley areas city. That is true of southwest Virginia. Here's the kicker. All free of charge, and they are making an incredible difference in people's lives. And I'm gonna tell you about Kendall. Hold on, okay, tell us Kendall Claytor, she's a passionate advocate for affordable housing. She's been doing this all her life, and she's not really that
Unknown:old. No, she's like a puppy over here, puppy. She's
JJ:no wrinkle. She was born and raised to run up. She's back. She left, but she's back now. I like and we are incredibly thrilled to have her here. She has some kids, she has a husband, and she has a dog named Franklin.
Natalie:Franklin is pretty awesome. Yeah, we're gonna make sure that. We're gonna make sure Franklin's photo makes him a montage for this safe and famous thing, right? We're gonna make it famous. We are so happy to have you with us, I'm gonna tell you so my neighbor, Gary, who absolutely thinks the world of this organization and the work that you're doing, because it's so personal, because his daughter is a veteran, and he thinks the world of you. And so when we were doing the series last year, we had Casey Kelly Come on, and she had she and her husband, Stephen, had massive need, and he had gone through so much, and we love them. And so Gary came to me after and said, Hey, do you know about renovation Alliance? And I said, No, and I think that's terrible. And so, and this was at the end of the series, so I didn't know. Couldn't bring you on last year. And so he said, I think we could potentially help the Casey the Kelly family. And I said that would be pretty awesome. And so he's been working on this. And so beautiful. You guys are actually going to be doing some stuff in their home this coming weekend, and I'm going to go out and we're going to do some reels, and you're going to get to see Kendall, not. Only on this show, but also in reels on social media. It's gonna be fantastic. You're gonna see the Kelly's and the kids love those kids, the dragon. Yeah, they
JJ:did. They did reels with a slash. They did real Okay, so anyway, yeah, that's
Natalie:how we got here. And I knew this year renovation Alliance had to be one of our educational episodes because of the work you're doing. So
Unknown:thank you. Yes, we're highlighting here. Yeah, fantastic.
Natalie:So, so let's start off. So we got all these questions, so we do this a little bit differently, because we want to make sure that you're able to really highlight everything that the organization does. And so start off by telling us how renovation Alliance kind of got started.
Unknown:Yeah, renovation Alliance got started in 1999 when a group of citizens got together and saw that there was a great need for home repairs in the area, and no one to fill that gap. So they brought together that year, about 50 people, volunteers in the community in the Roanoke area to rebuild five homes, and they did that all free of charge, and fortunately, they had folks who were involved in the housing authority and on city council, and so that just a movement started growing, and the word got out. And so we've grown from that 50 homes that we did, and then 299, we did. 82 homes last year, but they were much larger. We're working with contractors now, and this year we're aiming to do 100 homes. And it's our 25th year. It was the best. So you went from five homes to 100
JJ:that's awesome. I'm just amazed. And you do it basically free of charge. These people are really in need. Oh, man.
Natalie:And is it military? So, like, who qualifies? Like, how does that work? The
Unknown:there are only two ways to qualifier, so two criteria you've got to meet. It's one, that you own the home and that your household income is equal to or below 80% area median income, which is set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and then on top of that. So, you know, we've got just a incredible waiting list. About 300 applications come in each year, and we're able to serve this year as 100 and that's a really, really we're digging in deep to get to those homeowners. So on top of that, we prioritize, and we prioritize folks who are over the age of 60, persons living with disabilities and veterans and surviving partners as well, and then we also focus services on single head of households with young children in the home. So
JJ:I'm curious, because 100 projects and now you're bringing in contractors, what did these projects look like? Like? Are you just adding like a faucet, or are we talking about like, just massive, massive bills?
Unknown:I mean, everyone's different. So sometimes we'll get a call from someone who has a physical limitation and they need a ramp on their home. So that's a pretty that's a pretty small repair for us to do, and we have a great group of volunteers that goes and builds ramp components in our warehouse. So they'll build the bases, the handrails, and then they assemble them on site. That's a pretty simple project for us. And then we go to the level where someone's called us. They've had a roof leak for so long, didn't know what to do about it, and now their ceilings are caving in. And can we come and help? So it becomes a little bit more extensive, yeah? Another costly one that we do quite a bit is HVAC system replacements. That's true. Yeah, yeah. So, and that's also a critical one, especially in their winter and summer months. So, yeah, we'll do some big projects, and then a lot of the homes come through that need a number of those repairs that will try to tick off as many critical ones as possible. Yeah, wow. Okay, that's
Natalie:interesting, and it's a combination of volunteers and and then with the contractors and stuff I know now, we're totally off on the question. That's a low like one, they're
JJ:seeing a somewhat in order.
Natalie:They're kind of there. I'm so intrigued. Yeah, 100% volunteer base. There's some folks that you may pay for their services, which is a combination of of, because you guys are a nonprofit, we are okay, so go into that.
Unknown:Yeah. So it started out as all volunteers and but you know what? Volunteers, especially in the Roanoke community, volunteers are incredible. This is such a generous, caring community. Everyone wants to take care of one another, and so we always have great folks that want to come out. But the level of repairs that we're seeing, of course, we've been in this operation now for 25 years. Roanoke area has a very aging housing stock really repairs themselves are becoming more intense, and ones that you need permits for and contractors licenses to do safely. So we are seeing volunteership become a little bit more of a limited part of our program, and the rest of it is being done by skilled professionals that we are creating partnerships with to have, you know, donations of labor and materials and or otherwise just paying right out of pocket. So
JJ:for those what's the average cost on these projects? And what? How much does this cost?
Unknown:It's such a range. Yeah, so the average investment right now is about $6,000 but that doesn't include the volunteer time and also. So some of the donations from our contracting partners. So if you accounted for the value, it'd probably go up to about eight to$10,000 per project that we're investing in. And mind you, the average household income of folks that we're serving is about 22,000 a year. Wow. So it's a big it's really out of reach to be able to be doing these massive home repairs. Wow, wow.
Natalie:I this is, this is such important work. I'm just, I'm sitting here thinking about it, because we partner with the Department of Social Services here in Roanoke, and they and they talk about, you know, literally just yesterday, talk about the needs of individuals who have homes. And I think I appreciate you saying we've got an aging stock, and I think a lot of homes in the US, we've got aging homes and people, some people can say, I don't know that I can remain in my home without some modifications or some renovations to really bring it up to meet my needs. So you're thinking about ADA, because homes in you know, 5060, years ago, were not built with ADA specs in mind, and so doorways that aren't wide enough for us to age in place, like we talk about aging, yes, all the time.
JJ:We want to stay. I mean, we want to stay in the house. We know that there are healthier outcomes for people that stay in their home. Exactly. Are there certain things that you guys do? I'm just curious. For people that want to stay in their home, are
Unknown:there certain
JJ:renovations that you do? I mean, I know we talk about ramps, yeah, for people with disabilities, are there, you know, certain renovations, lawmaking wings that you'd be like, Hey
Natalie:guys, if you're renovating your home right now, even though this is about your organization, if you're like, this is, this is being proactive. Oh
Unknown:yeah, the lever handles and your doorknobs, that's one of the cheapest, easiest ones to do, and doesn't take the contract. I mean, I I haven't done it at my own home. We were just talking about this. The slides about Stanley to do that work, but other people do other skills. And you can watch a YouTube video to do it too, which is cool. And then grab bars, that's another super simple, cheap one to the implement some of those grippers on the bottom of your tub or shower? Yeah, those are another easy one. Well, you know, one of
JJ:the things I think about, though, is you wouldn't, even if you have a neighbor or you have an older relative, even if that income level is lower, those are not super expensive items. Like I think about what a shower bar would cost, or I think about just, you know, easy items like that. And I could, like you said, I could install those things for a lot of people. And so that can be a gift. I wouldn't have to go to renovation alliance for. I could say, You know what, I'm going to do that so that it doesn't take funds out of your all's, you know, bucket. So I think that's it. That's good information. I
Natalie:love that. Or you could volunteer with the renovation Alliance, honestly,
JJ:oh yeah, and take it with you and say, Do you have somebody that needs this? I would like to, I would like to do it to have
Natalie:you. Oh, that is fine. I know deja is gonna need to have to find better way to come back. I know. I'm like, Okay, so I'm gonna get back on track. Because already, sorry, because this is a lot of fun. This is what happens. We kind of float all over the place. Okay, so why do you think this work is so important?
Unknown:You know, what does that mean to everybody to have the home. Yeah, you know, I think about, I think about the luxury that I had growing up to be able to be in a clean, safe, healthy home, and that it wasn't a stress on my parents to be able to afford the routine maintenance that comes up. Yeah, we've seen a lot of folks who have made do in unhealthy environments, we've seen folks who have lost access to water in their homes and are just used to purchasing jugs of water at the store every week to bring back to their house. We recently, we had a homeowner who is an older adult with a disability, and they couldn't afford to put a ramp on their home, so what they did instead was they would turn around and crawl down backwards, down the front steps to get to their car. So people want to be in their homes. And I think that, you know, as a community, if we can just invest in making that safer for individuals, restoring that pride and securing that type of investment for households, that the whole community is going to benefit. Well, I
Natalie:think, you know, I know you're a social worker by trade. Yeah. Let's just, let's just go there, Jay, I
JJ:mean, Jay J, not the social worker, NBA,
Natalie:we have MS, W's over here and but, I mean, think about it, and like, what you're doing is, is you're, you're helping on a macro level and a micro level, right? And at our direct level, and so on the on the direct level, you're offering that person continued independence and and pride and and independence. There's something you said for that, that and because that's going to impact their health and wellness, I can stay in my own home. Yeah, I don't have to. And the fact that these folks are, you know, you've got a example of somebody having to crawl out backwards, you know, to try to that shows determination and grit, and they that they and they deserve to have that. But then, on a macro level, social work side, you're helping build capacity, and you're keeping people where we know that our overall costs and. A strain on the system, whether it's emergency services or hospital systems, you know, or people having to go, I live out of home congregate settings. You're giving them the American dream, if you think about it.
Unknown:Well, I mean, then to tickle JJs interest here too, the vast majority of wealth that individuals have is invested in their home. That's true. And you know, for white households, it's, you know, it's over$100,000 on average across the nation, that's the average amount of wealth that a white household is invested in their home is over $100,000 black and brown households, it's much less. So, you know, just to be able to preserve that home ownership and the equity that someone has in their home is meaningful to that individual household in future generations. It's funding that's going to be able to be passed down. And so also, considering how home renovations and preservation really does impact just generational wealth accumulation, yeah, and that social justice piece, because there's so, I mean, there's so much work to be done, and renovation Alliance and all home repair nonprofits are really having an eye on that type of preservation and equity.
JJ:Okay, that is, I am so not I thought about
Natalie:that. I'm so glad you brought that, that up and talking about how and for so many people, that is what they where their money's in. I mean, look at all the but, I mean, look at people who purchase real estate and as opposed to going and putting into their 401, K, yeah. I mean, because people need, this is the thing people have to have housing, yeah, that is the like. These are, these are the things that are basic things you have to have. And these individuals, you know, all your categories of you know who you're serving, 60 plus, disabilities, veterans, these individuals who are low income, and we want to lift everybody up, and that's what I hear you saying, that you guys want to be able to do. Just seems
JJ:like everybody needs just that little bit of help, a special help. Yeah, just a little bit of help. So what's the biggest challenge for you? All of funding.
Unknown:Always fun, yeah? If you need a non profit that doesn't say funding, I wanted to not that guy and then hire them. Yeah. What
JJ:about volunteers? Like funding and volunteers? Yeah,
Unknown:yeah, skilled volunteers. You know, we work with a lot of those same volunteer groups every year, and they're incredible. I would also love to be able to lift some of the burden off of them so I'm not constantly contacting them to say, like, Hey, can you also come out this weekend? So new volunteer groups would be great. We do have a summer youth program. We invite youth groups from you know around to come and spend a week with us and do projects. And that's a really great one, because they come with adult leaders. We provide some on site supervision and training. And it's also really great, great way for people to earn skills, get to know a different part of the world that they'd be necessarily be in then otherwise, just fundraising help. You know, this is expensive work, and it's getting more expensive every year. Yeah, that has not helped, and the level of work that we're doing now is so expensive. So yeah, donations, a bigger investment from our localities, state, federal, will also be amazing.
JJ:So that was okay. So literally, you know, we never talk about politics or anything, but here's my here, we're not talking about that, but here's my question, what, what things? What would you like to see happen? Because we talked about health care, caregiving, everything like that. There are so many levels above us. There's, you know, state, government, localities, federal. What would you like to see? What's your dream, you know, of what? What could it? What could help with the housing crisis? We're
Unknown:major housing crisis, and so everything helps. I would love to see the national and statewide conversation be focused more on preservation of our existing housing stock, rather than new builds, which, you know, new builds is also incredibly important. Of course, I'm never going to say no to more housing, but existing housing, especially the existing affordable housing, is naturally occurring, and if we can just lift the current housing stock so we would be happy for anyone in our own families to live there. I think the whole community is going to benefit. You look in the city of Roanoke, and it's not there's so many cities like this across the nation, our housing stock is getting old. It's not looking great. It's had historic under investment. Our city is doing a lot of a lot of work to try to funnel resources into it, but it's expensive work. We've got, you know, let's say Roanoke here in town is doing a lot of work to get rid of some of the lead that's continuing our homes, but it's just expensive. And so if we could start talking about, what would it take at our localities to preserve the affordable housing stuff that we have and make sure that the folks that are there can stay there or return, because we also have some vacant properties that could use that assistance.
Natalie:You know, this is not only just an issue in Roanoke, this is absolutely a conversation that every community. Be having, and every state should be having, and the Feds should be looking at and saying, how do we push this down? Because I go back to look at the existing housing that we have. It goes back to the homelessness issue. The homelessness issue in the United States is only getting worse, and affordable housing is one of the biggest culprits. And so you know, how do we work with nonprofits like yourself and to be able to find solutions so that everybody has affordable housing? I know that we've gotten completely into affordable housing, but it's true.
JJ:But everybody deserves a home, and I think that's what you know. What you all do is you make sure they can stay in that home. They deserve that home. They deserve the upkeep of the house that they invest in.
Natalie:So, you know, I think when you said, Everybody deserves a home, so what type of impact does renovation Alliance have on the household that it serves?
Unknown:I mean, short of just the preservation of homeownership, we've also been able to survey the homeowners that we've served and ask, you know, how does this impact to you? And across the board, everyone says it's improved my quality of life, my sense of security in the home. And then also, one that's really interesting to me is community connection, you know, especially when they've had a volunteer group on their project, that they've had that, you know, really positive interaction with fellow members of the community. And then two, you know, some households, the work that we're doing is also exterior, and so the work improves the look of the home, and can also increase that community, pride in that neighborhood, pride. And so individuals are happy coming home and happy having their neighbors see them come to their
Natalie:home. It also you're but pride in your own property too. Maybe there is a little bit more of the upkeep when, as opposed because I'm sure, I'm assuming, there's some before and after photos where you're like, that's pretty different looking and so and but there is something to be said for you know, you your home being, hopefully, a representation of you are things as a representation. And so, no, you know, if your home is cluttered on the inside, always look at it as a social worker and say, what's going on? What? What's going on. And so is this reflection. And so I think there's something you know, not only that we say, you know you want to be well groomed because it helps with your self esteem, but even where you surround yourself by Oh yeah, those things are going to improve your own health and wellness. I keep coming back to health and wellness because I think that's so important, both physically but also mentally emotionally. It
JJ:makes me think about, you know, you talked about roots, or you talk about no water, or, you know, just things like that, that the health impact of things like that as well. I just that just amazes me, those projects that you talk about. You know, there are so many people out there that those issues so many of us don't know about. So I kind of, when I like, I'm like, Okay, how do I get involved? How do people, like, how do I how do we get involved with So, how do we get involved with stuff like that? Like, how do I get involved with renovation life? I
Unknown:don't know. I'm fine. Do you have a call? Call me. I know metaphor is no but we have a great website, renovate all.org where you can just get more information about the organization and all of our contact information. But otherwise, if you're interested in housing issues at large, Google Home Repairs, you know, and then your locality or area and there's, there's going to be a Habitat for Humanity. Affiliate, close by rebuilding together, affiliate close by those of national organizations that have many affiliates across the United States move. And then also, there's some much smaller organizations that have tucked it around. And if there's not one, and you see a need in the area, you know, just like renovation Alliance, it was groups of people that just wanted to do something and had the skills to do it. You know, I don't have the building construction skills, but I can rally some people, and I can call my friends, and I can find somebody that does, yeah. And I'm sure there are a lot of people out there that are the same
Natalie:way. So I have, I want to jump back to one question here. Sorry, I
JJ:got excited. I was ready to volunteer. Well, I wanted to,
Unknown:I can tell or then go on a project. I'm
Natalie:like, Yeah, JJ is going on Saturday. So let me ask you this, if renovation Alliance didn't exist, what would folks do?
Unknown:Yeah, so that's another question we asked. There are options out there. Okay, you know. So if you have some sort of means you can take out home equity loans. You can say there's just you take an investment out against your home, and it adds on to the monthly mortgage. But for the folks that we're serving their limited income is that's just too risky. A lot of folks that we're working with are on a small social security check each month, or have some type of like, hourly paid but it's a little bit frenetic, you know, not always reliable, so that's not as much of an option. So when we've asked that question, what would your other options be? And they usually say, I'd make do and make do until it's no longer feasible to make do, or in cases where it's. Just unsafe to be there. You know, let's say it's January and the heating is out. We have had many homeowners who crank up the stove and open it and heat their home that way, so people don't want to leave their homes, and we'll stay there as long as they possibly can. And I guess if we went out there, and I'm sure there's having other areas where this is not an option, people will just be in an unhealthy situation for a very long time until somebody pulls them out. Yeah,
Natalie:no different than people open up gas grills and put them in their in their homes or kerosene heaters. And you think about that, and you're like, hey, we can't do that. We can't We can't do that. And I think as a society, we have to say we can't allow this to happen. We have to care for one another. And we literally were just talking to somebody earlier, just talking about, we really moving away from individualism to really being able to support each other as a community. It's really why, you know, we talked about care forward, and what we want to do with that is we do believe that, you know, strangers do become neighbors, and I think that these volunteers that are going into the lives of these individuals, they're not just they're volunteering, they're modeling. Because I would say the people that you're blessing are going out and then are also equally more likely to go and help another person because someone help them. I just, I love that. I love the idea of it. I think that's just, I know that that's happening because I think that's, that's how we create Kinder communities. So I know renovation alliance is pretty much here just in Roanoke.
Unknown:We do serve the surrounding counties too, I know. So it's Roanoke, the full Roanoke Valley area. So it's the city Roanoke, and then the counties around, about a tuck Craig, fluid and Franklin, yeah, but yes, yeah, other than that. So we are here.
Natalie:So the thing is, I know people are going to be listening to me like, I want that. So again, how can so if they, if people are outside, you're you've mentioned, you know, Habitat for Humanity, seeing who's connected, affiliate groups with them. That's a good way anybody else that you think of.
Unknown:So I mean rebuilding together. So Rebuilding Together is a national nonprofit that their whole focus is also free home repairs. So habitat, their big focus is affordable homeownership opportunities. Some affiliates do have the repair side as well, and then Rebuilding Together. But otherwise, the best way to do it would be to dial 211, on your phone or visit mind help.org
Natalie:Oh, we love them. You know, we like find help.org they are some of our favorite people and but there's a lot. Yeah, I'm gonna throw out a couple more names, please. You've got the Virginia navigator. You have Virginia navigator. So that's one of the similar to 211, it's like, a cousin. That's what I joke with them about. I'm like, Oh, you're like, two one's cousin. Two one's a national number for information referral. Virginia has their own specific as well. Two one covers that. And so you've got Disability Navigator, which is a part of the Navigator series. You also have veteran navigator and senior navigator. And so, like, I'm so glad you brought up information referral. Like, that's fantastic.
JJ:I'm gonna, I'm gonna hire Kendall. She's gonna come on the show with me. You're fired.
Unknown:I think Kendall is
JJ:doing an awesome job as she is. You
Unknown:guys are right Well,
Natalie:right now. So, all right, so I want to tell us your website one more time.
Unknown:It's renovate all R, E, N, O, V, A, T, E, A, L, l.org,
Natalie:I love that and so and just remember that they are we absolutely support our nonprofits. They do take donations, and they will, not only just of you know, resource, okay, so if you don't have, as JJ would say, if you don't have talent, you can donate dollars, because those dollars go really far.
Unknown:For those of us who do have talent, if you are
Natalie:a business who works in the construction industry at any level, if you touch a home, get with Kendall right, because you're always looking for more contractors and people, skilled professionals, come in and supplies, high lows, Home Depot and any hardware store. I'm allowed to say that no, because I'll do it. He'll call you up. We'll call you up. Our grandparents owned the hardwares. Oh, so we would have, we grew up in a hardware so we'd be like, Oh, our grandparents would have totally done all this. They would have donated supplies. Yeah, totally fine. You don't need those, just because they don't know. It'll be fun, but and then, of course, so volunteers, dollars and partner organizations is what sounds like. Kendall could really use and Kendall, thank you so much for being here.
Unknown:Thank you. This was
Natalie:wonderful. Sharing with you. I hope Franklin comes out on Saturday. Hey, be there. You know what? He could be a make a guest
JJ:appearance, Franklin the dog. Yeah, could come. I'm not gonna lie to
Unknown:him. And he was really hairy, and then delivering lunches that people might not. Oh, that's over. Reading southerners,
Natalie:you're all worried
JJ:on there. Between friends, the food and the trunk, you're. Okay, you got our permission.
Natalie:Yeah, silly. Thank you. Kendall. You know guys, thanks so much for being with us today on our special series, which is our educational episode with heroes caring for heroes. And this is supported by CVS Health and Tena and so we also have a couple other friends, like the Fisher House Foundation, who's been helping us, as well as some of behavioral health care and so lots of great partner partner organizations continue to listen into the series and support renovation Alliance Absolutely. Until we confess again, we will see you next time. Well, friends, that's a wrap for today's educational episode. Thank you for listening to our special series, heroes, caring for heroes, and don't forget to visit our website to sign up for our monthly newsletter. Sign up for the free sisterhood advantage discount club, and, of course, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Tiktok, Twitter and Pinterest. You'll also find a video recording of all our episodes on the confessions website and our YouTube Channel. We'll see you next time when we confess again. Till then, take care of you. Okay, let's talk disclaimers. We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. As always, my sisters and I, at confessions of our reluctant caregiver, have taken care in selecting the speakers, but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. The views and opinions stated in this show are solely those of the contributors and not necessarily those of our distributors or hosting company. This podcast is copyrighted and no part can be reproduced without the express written consent of the sisterhood of care LLC, thank you for listening to The Confessions of a reluctant caregiver podcast.
