Rebuilding Together Waycross volunteers converge Saturday on 601 McDonald Street to make critical repairs at Ms. Jo’s personal care home.
The April 25 effort will help rehabilitate the long-time resource for local families seeking safe, dignified care for loved ones.
The project will include roof and flooring repairs, with a team that includes volunteers from Trinity Methodist Church led by house captain Wendell Bagley. Organizers said the effort is especially meaningful for the church group because the facility previously provided care for one of its members in his final days.
Joletha “Ms. Jo” Williams, moved to Waycross from New York City 27 years ago with her late husband, who worked for CSX Transportation. She said she’s spent much of her life caring for others including foster children and providing inhome caregiving for elderly and disabled clients.
More than 25 years ago, Williams and her husband purchased a vintage home in Waycross and turned it into a personal care home. She considers her work a ministry.
Since then, she and her staff have provided care for 35 people facing end-of-life, offering support that eased the burden for clients and their families, she said. She also cares for elderly and disabled resi-dents seeking to avoid nursing home placement.
Families often are surprised to learn Medicare and many insurance plans typically cover nursing home stays only when a resident can participate in rehabilitation — an option that often does not fit people nearing the end of life. For others, staying at home may not be possible because caregiver support is unavailable or families can’t meet around-the-clock needs.
That’s where Ms. Jo’s home has stepped in, providing a safe setting for people who need hands-on care, but don’t have the support to remain at home. Now 76, Williams said she wants to continue the mission she believes God placed before her, but the home needs repairs to remain a safe and welcoming place.
In addition to the Williams home, Rebuilding Together Waycross plans to complete repairs at 11 other sites across the city Saturday.
Rebuilding Together Waycross is an affiliate of a national organization that provides critical home repairs at no charge for homeowners who are elderly or disabled and have financial need. Many affiliates also complete similar work for nonprofit organizations.
Organizers said skilled and unskilled volunteers are still needed and welcome. Volunteers must be at least 14, and those under 18 must have parental approval.
To volunteer, complete an application at https://rebuildingtogetherwaycross. weebly.com/application s.html. Call (912) 281-0768 with questions.
The workday begins at 7 a.m. at Central Baptist Church for a kickoff breakfast and the work assignments. Work begins at 8 a.m. at sites across Waycross, led by house captains.
A celebration dinner at 6 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church concludes the effort.
