Teen Service Tuesdays inspire next generation

The humming sounds of a power drill driving screws along with the whizzing sound of a miter saw slicing through deck boards can be heard in the background as the rhythmic thud of a sledgehammer pounding a 2×4 piece of wood fills the air on an overcast Tuesday morning in late June.

“Let’s get this platform set before it really starts raining,” shouts Teddy McComb to a group of retirees and teenagers working to build a new ramp for a homeowner with mobility issues.

“This program is called Teen Service Tuesdays,” says Olivia Conn, Development Coordinator for the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Fort Wayne . “This year we had over 40 teens participate.

“They’re working alongside our Carpenter’s Sons volunteers,” she says.

This is the fourth year for the program which was held each Tuesday during the month of June.

“Back in 2015, I got a letter from St. Vincent de Paul Church, where I go,” says McComb, who is project leader for this build. “We started a group with about 7 guys and we called ourselves the Carpenter’s Sons.”

“Now, we have over 40 Carpenter’s Sons who volunteer every Tuesday,” says Conn. “They come together and help do projects for homeowners who are in need of some help.”

“They have been so dedicated, and the work they’ve done has been absolutely amazing!”

“We build a lot of ramps in Fort Wayne,” says McComb. “On this ramp, they need to get out of their home and get down to their car, and they’re having a hard time doing that.”

Homeowner Diana Mossburg says she struggles to get in an out of the house so she stays home a lot.

Mossburg says she was thrilled when she found out the Carpenter’s Son were going to build her a ramp.

“I just think it’s great,” she says. “And, when they said the kids were coming to help, I thought it was even greater because when you start young,(volunteering) you keep on doing it.”

Mossburg watches the ramp being built by a group of people she’s never met before, and it brings a tear to her eye.

“I think of all the times that I helped others, and it’s sort of a full-circle moment,” she says. “It truly is neighbor helping neighbor.”

All members of the Carpenter’s Sons take time to share their knowledge with the teen volunteers. They explain the importance of a strong work ethic and the need to be precise in the work they do.

“It’s great that we can teach these kids a little bit of skills,” says McComb as the light rain turns into a downpour. “But more importantly, to see them doing something for someone in need is what what really matters.”

It’s clear the kids volunteering on Teen Service Tuesdays are hearing the message.

“I’ve learned different skills about building a deck, building a walkway,” says 14-year-old Collin Fischer. “And I learned that helping people makes you feel really good about yourself.”

“It’s great fun and sometimes you get to work with your friends and help people,” says 15-year-old Daniel Tippman. “It just feels good.”

“We might feel, like, cool, we built something,” says Conn. “But this is a life change for her being able to enter and leave her home when she wants to.”

Fischer says the work is extremely satisfying. “It’s knowing they get to have the freedom, and you helped them,” he says with the wisdom of someone much older than a teenager. “That is such a big step for somebody.”

“It’s so nice to be able to see the difference in their house, and being able to actually get up to the front door,” says 15-year-old Elizabeth Veerkamp. “It’s just nice to help someone out.”

Mossburg says the little things most people take for granted are a big deal for someone with mobility challenges. “Just getting out and going to the store,” she says. “Meet people, see people,” she says with a thankful laugh. “It’s normal!”

“Most people don’t realize that other people do care,” says Scott Mcalister who’s been with the Carpenter’s Sons for a few years. “This is a way to remind people that they can give back and it’s a great thing. A great feeling.”

Mcalister hopes anyone who sees the story is inspired to help others, or start their own group to make our community a better place.

“It’s just the heart of neighbors helping neighbors,” says Conn. “Kids learning to serve and making that connection. Helping others. It’s what projects like Teen Service Tuesdays are all about.”

“At the end of the day when we get this ramp done,” says McComb with a twinkle in his eye. “We’re gonna gather everybody on the end here and we’ll get the homeowners out and we’ll take a group picture. That puts a warm, fuzzy feeling in your heart that, hey, you’ve done something positive today. Hopefully that encourages them for a lifetime.”

The St. Vincent de Paul Society’s Carpenter’s Sons group meets every Tuesday morning for donuts and to gets their assignments for the day. Last year they completed 580 home improvement projects to help people in need.

The Carpenter’s Sons receive project referrals from Neighborlink .

The Teen Service Tuesday program was established four years ago and is held on Tuesdays in June.

Anyone interested in volunteering or signing up for Teen Service Tuesdays next June, should contact St. Vincent de Paul Society of Fort Wayne’s Lara Schreck at (260) 456-3561, extension 120.

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