A grant awarded to Putnam County will bring the World Changers Youth Camp to Cookeville to help senior citizens with small projects.
Mayor Randy Porter said many senior citizens are unsure about having someone they do not know come in to do minor home repairs or projects. Porter said the World Changers can assist seniors with their projects free of charge.
“They’ll spend a week in our community, and they’ll go to these people’s homes and do that work for them,” Porter said. “It’s painting, wheelchair ramps, replacement of doors and windows, interior repairs. And they’re not getting any major construction.”
Porter said this community project has been in the works for a few years. Porter said Cookeville and Knoxville are the only two Tennessee cities selected for a World Changers visit for next summer.
Porter said the Putnam County School System will be working with the county on housing the workers at Prescott Middle School. Local churches and businesses will help ensure they are fed during the week.
“We think we’re going to be able to get all of the materials, the paint and stuff donated,” Porter said. “But we did put a little extra money in the budget in case we needed to help fund any of those while they’re here because they work totally for free.”
Porter said he wanted to address the Commissioners about application priority. Porter said he wanted to ensure help goes to seniors eligible for the county’s tax reform and tax freeze programs.
“We’d like to take that group of people who filed for that, and let those be the first ones that can apply for this,” Porter said. “Because those are set on a very low income level, and they’re probably the most needy.”
The Commissioners approved starting the application process with that group. Porter said once this group has finished applying, any remaining jobs will be open to other senior citizens.
Porter will now work with the Trustee’s office on the next steps in helping seniors in need through the World Changers Youth Camp, as well as the application process. This will be the World Changers’ first stop in Putnam County.
