The Moline Community Development Corporation (CDC) is pleased to announce a partnership with the Butterworth Center & Deere-Wiman House to host a home improvement workshop series called HANDY at HOME.
The six-month series of workshops, beginning in January, will teach Moline homeowners new skills to maintain their homes and save money. With inflation stretching household budgets, saving money on home repairs is essential for many families.
The Moline CDC’s workshop series will equip residents with the skills needed for identifying the problem and making simple home repairs. Participants also learn to recognize when a repair requires calling in a professional.
The workshops will be led by Dave Savatski, owner of Blue Bench Workshop, Davenport, the Moline CDC said in a news release. He has worked on home projects throughout the Quad Cities the release said.
“I learned basic woodworking and home improvement skills from my father, and I continue building on those skills as an adult,” Mr. Savatski said. “Many homeowners today don’t have that opportunity to learn from family. I love teaching people these skills and seeing them get excited about the possibilities.”
Moline CDC Executive Director Jinnel Choiniere said “I never helped with home improvement projects as a kid, so I didn’t learn to fix a leaky faucet or repair cracks in a wall.”
Videos are ‘no substitute’
He said, “As an adult, I know that proactive maintenance can prevent more expensive repairs down the line, but it’s hard to know where to start. Watching a video is no substitute for working with a professional and having the opportunity to ask questions. I expect to learn a lot from these workshops.”
The CDC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering affordable living, safe housing and thriving neighborhoods for Moline residents. In partnership with other organizations and nonprofits, it undertakes projects that enhance the quality of life in our city.
Across Moline, the city has a diverse housing stock. It includes many previously occupied homes that come with construction unknowns and repair challenges. Unlike most newly constructed homes, older homes can be more affordable and provide the opportunity for many people to become first-time homeowners or purchase a larger house.
“We look forward to hosting these workshops,” said Jan Stoffer, the director of operations & administration at Butterworth Center & Deere-Wiman House. “Our properties experience the same problems as other homes throughout the Quad Cities. We have a mix of old and new plumbing, drywall and plaster walls, roofing issues, scuffed wood trim, and other required maintenance projects to stay on top of and repair.”
“We can share real-world examples of how we tackle these problems and what we have done to be more energy efficient,” she said.
How to register
Registration is required for all workshops. All residents are welcome regardless of ability to make a suggested donation during signup. For more information and registration, visit molinecdc.org.
The CDC’s HANDY at HOME workshop schedule is:
- Monday, Jan. 22: Fix that wall, Butterworth Center, sponsored by Pat Co. Design.
- Monday, Feb. 26: Stop plumbing leaks, Butterworth Center, sponsored by Almighty Plumbing.
- Monday, March 25: Fix that wobbly railing, Butterworth Center, sponsored by Pat Co. Design.
- Monday, April 22: No more flooding, Butterworth Center, sponsored by Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors.
- Monday, May 20: Tame your energy bill, Deere-Wiman House, sponsored by MidAmerican Energy.
- Monday, June 24: Connect that wire, Butterworth Center, Moline.
