Coatesville homeowner says she’s blessed to have had such assistance
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
Susan A. Jones says she thrilled with the results of a front-yard makeover organized and implemented by a group of friends.
A collaborative front-yard makeover produced eye-popping results in the unit block of North Eighth Avenue this past week.
“It looks great. I want my place done now,” said Danielle Melvin, who lives two doors down from the face-lifted residence.
Melvin’s visitor, Elizabeth Smith, agreed. “Those hanging baskets of flowers really set it all off so nicely,” she said.
Gone are the broken fence posts and deteriorating porch sections. In their place: freshly painted, new construction, shrubs and bright floral accents; and new lighting.
Before the makeover, Susan A. Jones had a front porch and yard that was welcoming only to undesirables. Photo courtesy of Rodger Ollis
The renaissance was orchestrated by Jordan Crans, executive director of the Bridge Academy and Community Center. During a meeting of the academy’s Mom’s Club, one of its members, Susan A. Jones, was asked by the group’s guest speaker, Coatesville Police Officer Rodger Ollis, if she had any safety concerns. Smith said she was frustrated that her property had been frequented by vagrants and vandals.
By the time Ollis learned that Jones’ residence didn’t have the best lighting or well-trimmed shrubbery, Crans was already hatching a plan: Why couldn’t they get a group together to help Jones, for whom medical issues made such work difficult?
To Jones’ delight, a passel of high-energy volunteers wielding power tools and paint brushes descended on her porch on May 31. They included Ollis; Crans and her husband, Josh; Tyler Changaris, Bridge Academy’s assistant director; Heidi Bowman, a Mom’s Club mentor, and her husband, Scott Bowman, daughter-in-law, Martha Bowman, and her friend Jennifer Kasitz.
One task led to another, and what had been envisioned as a one-day blitz turned into a multi-phase project that required extended visits over the next week or so. Even some new recruits were added to the crew. The Coatesville Police Department contributed a motion-detecting light fixture, and others who requested anonymity donated materials, such as wood and flowers, Crans said.
“I’m just elated,” said Jones, adding that she feels blessed to have such good friends in her life. Another bonus: She has received a flood of compliments about the finished product. She said people have repeatedly asked her if Good Works, Inc., a Coatesville nonprofit, did the transformation, to which she enjoys replying: “No – good friends did.”
Ollis said he enjoyed driving by the residence on Saturday and seeing Jones on the porch with admiring guests. He said he’s already been asked to assist others, which he’s willing to do. “It’s not just about restoring property; it’s about restoring hope,” he said. “Sometimes you need help to get going, but it starts one house at a time.”
Crans agreed. “We proved that a small number of people can make a huge difference,” she said. With minimal expense, the results produced light, hope and joy, she said. “I would encourage people to take the time and effort to find some friends and see what they can accomplish,” Crans suggested. “Even if you have to do little pieces at a time, it’s going to be worth it.”
Still looks like a coatesville dump. Didnt bother to paint everything on the poarch or straighten the fence, typical half ass work
From the writer: In all fairness, I learned that some additional painting was done after the photo was taken and more plants are going to be added, but I still think it looks terrific and represents a huge improvement.