metro >> on the cover
Project Build!
JFS and Building Industry Association partner to help those in need of home repair.
Diane Traurig's small bathroom before Project Build! started its work
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For two months, the bathroom project
engaged 20 local businesses and received
more than $15,000 in donated funds, in-
kind labor and supplies. The project was
coordinated by volunteer Gordy Oliva,
CAPS, Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR)
of Gordy Oliva Remodeling/Go Barrier Free.
Oliva lives in Huntington Woods and felt
especially motivated to help someone so
close to home.
"I am grateful to have had the opportu-
nity to impact a neighbor's life in such a
significant way:' he said. "It is some of the
most satisfying work I've done.
"It has been a challenging job',' he said,
"and required a lot of meticulous planning
to determine exactly what labor would be
needed, exactly what supplies were required
and who would volunteer to donate each
element. Even the architectural design was
a donated service."
More Projects Coming
While BIA was able to draw in many of
the volunteers to work on this and the
other Project Build! jobs, the organization's
Charitable & Educational Foundation also
Traurig's new, expanded, barrier-free bathroom
Project Build! steering committee
Continued from page 1
At the suggestion of Richard Cherkasky,
who is deeply committed to JFS and
the Building Industry Association of
Southeastern Michigan (BIA) and serves
on each group's board of directors, the
two organizations have partnered to form
Project Build!
In just eight months, Project Build! has
helped nine families and individuals who
lack the resources to have home repairs
done on their own. One of those was Diane
Traurig of Huntington Woods, whose MS
restricts her to a wheelchair. Her barrier-
free bathroom was completed recently.
"It was horrible; I couldn't move at all in
my old bathroom',' Traurig said. "I will now
have space that will allow for me to move
around my bathroom freely, without any
obstacles. I am so grateful, so grateful."
Cherkasky, owner of the Richard Group
and a Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist
10 May 26 • 2011
(CAPS), has built and remodeled hundreds
of homes in southeastern Michigan. He
was especially glad to have made the match
between two organizations important in
his life.
"In my eyes, it was a natural fit',' he said.
"I have worked in building and remodeling
for over 35 years. I know my colleagues are
generous and need a way to feel good about
their work right now What better way to
gain some satisfaction than by helping
someone in need?
"And I am awestruck by how JFS never
says no to a client in need:' he said. "I
thought it would be great to match my con-
nection to BIA with JFS to see what the two
could accomplish together."
The biggest Project Build! job to date
has been the expansion and remodeling of
Traurig's bathroom to accommodate her
wheelchair, which made the cramped bath-
room inaccessible.
members: Richard Cherkasky, Gordy
Oliva and Michael Stoskopf
donated $5,000, which was earmarked for
this job in particular.
Michael Stoskopf, CEO of BIA, said, "Our
association is fortunate to have so many
well-qualified and caring individuals in our
membership. I am pleased that BIA has
joined with JFS in this important endeavor
and proud of the accomplishments of our
members."
Michelle Malamis, JFS development asso-
ciate, has been instrumental in coordinat-
ing efforts between JFS and BIA.
"Many of these jobs will help our clients
continue to live independently in their
homes:' she said. "We greatly appreciate the
generosity and support of BIA and all of the
volunteers who have helped our clients. The
value of these jobs is more than $25,000 in
supplies and labor, most of which has been
donated by the volunteers."
Now Home Depot has joined Project
Build! This summer, staff from the Home
Depot store in Commerce Township will
donate time to repair all flooring, paint,
windows, doors and lighting for a severely
hearing-impaired woman; the Home Depot
Foundation awarded JFS a $5,5000 grant to
support this project.
Following that project, BIAs Professional
Women in Building Council has committed
funding and their expertise to support a
Project Build! job that will help a woman in
need of home repairs.
Steering committee members for
Project Build! are Richard Cherkasky, the
Richard Group; Michael Gordon, Moiseev/
Gordon Associates; Brad Hinkson, Hinkson
Construction; Ron Jedwab, Lincorp;
Gordy Oliva, Gordy Oliva Remodeling/Go
Barrier-Free; Norm Finkelstein, Norwood
Companies; Michael Stoskopf, BIA.
JFS will honor BIA and Project Build!
volunteers at the JFS Annual Meeting and
Recognition Event on June 2 at the Jewish
Community Center in West Bloomfield.
A dessert reception will be held at 7 p.m.,
with the presentations following. Admission
is free. For information or to make a reser-
vation, call Lori Drucker, (248) 592-2339 or
go online to www.jfsannualmeeting.org .
Susan Adler Shanteau is BIA vice president of
communications and staff liaison for Project
Build!
Volunteers Needed
Diane Traurig of Huntington Woods and
Gordy Oliva of Project Build!
Project Build! is looking for more
volunteers to help with upcoming
jobs for JFS clients. BIA members
in all aspects of the industry
are urged to help on upcoming
jobs. Any industry professional
interested in helping can call
(248) 862-1016 or email
susanas@builders.org .