Home Builders Foundation ramps up mobility for metro-area families

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

When Matt and Caroline Procik moved into their Castle Rock home over a year ago, it was mostly accessible to their daughter Juniper’s wheelchair, with one major exception — the step at the front door.

Lifting 3-year-old Juniper and her wheelchair over the front step became a daily task for the Prociks any time they had to leave the house.

“ ankfully she’s small enough right now that I can carry her up or down the stairs, but it’s not going to be that way forever,” Matt said.

e family tried going through their insurance, Medicaid, to nd a contractor to build a ramp, but the process was long, and they had little luck nding someone to take the job.

“We had contractors come out, but no one wanted it,” Caroline said, adding that they were told construction could take up to a month.

en the Prociks found the Home Builders Foundation, an Englewoodbased nonpro t that works to make homes accessible.

e Prociks family project became part of the organization’s annual Blitz Build, where volunteers construct mobility ramps for free throughout the Denver metro area.

On May 19, volunteers from Haberer Carpentry and FirstBank loves to explore downtown Castle Rock and her neighborhood, listen to music and swing outside. Her new mobility ramp will help her more easily access many of her favorite things, the Prociks said.

“I’m happy to not have to maneuver the step every day, it’ll be a big di erence,” Matt said. “We walk into town with Juniper, so it will be great to get out into Castle Rock without year.

Beth Forbes, executive director for the Home Builders Foundation, said this year’s Blitz Build will serve 24 clients with teams of volunteers building ramps on weekends from May through October.

“Relatively simple projects, like ramps, can make a really big di erence for our clients,” Forbes said. “We have a lot of great local support, so these projects don’t even cost ing to the Home Builders Foundation. Since the Blitz Build started 13 years ago, volunteers have installed 220 ramps, valuing around $950,000. Home Builders Foundation is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. e organization serves Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broom eld, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, and Je erson counties.

For more information, go to hbfdenver.org.