People Working Cooperatively, Inc.
Saving homes. Restoring pride.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Safe, sound, healthy, and affordable housing is a fundamental need for all human beings. PWC directly supports this need for a vulnerable population that is often over-looked – low income homeowners. While our clients were once able to afford to purchase a home of their own, or perhaps inherited one from family, the vast majority have faced a life change – a serious illness or injury, the loss of a good job or a spouse, or simply getting older and having to live on a fixed income that doesn’t keep up with the cost of living – that has put maintenance of their home beyond their financial reach. This is where PWC helps. Our staff of professional trades and construction workers provide a wide array of plumbing, electrical, HVAC, carpentry, roofing and gutter repairs, accessibility modifications, lead and asthma trigger remediation, fall prevention and energy conservation services at no cost to our clients so that their homes remain safe, sound, accessible, healthful, and affordable.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Home Repair Services
PWC provides critical – not cosmetic – home repair services for individuals and families living in low-income households across a 19 county region of southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and southeast Indiana. This type of home repair is performed by PWC’s trained, licensed and bonded staff of skilled tradespeople, including plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and HVAC technicians. Depending upon your location and your specific needs, below are some of the services you could receive:
Emergency Home Repairs
Emergency home repairs are PWC’s most crucial service, ensuring the safety and security of its clients. Services are limited to two emergencies a year, with an “emergency” being defined as a situation that threatens a client’s well-being. Examples include, but are not limited to:
• Broken water pipes
• Lack of heat
• Safety problems, such as electrical hazards
• Leaking hot water heater
• Only toilet in the home not working
Critical Home Repairs
Critical home repairs are designed to correct major defects threatening the safety of the occupants, integrity of the structure, general functionality of the house, and/or mobility of the occupants. Examples include, but are not limited to:
• Roof replacements
• Plumbing system repairs
• Electrical upgrades
• Furnace replacements
• Accessibility modifications
Lead Services
PWC has teamed up with the City of Cincinnati to offer the Cincinnati Lead Education and Remediation Program (CLEAR). PWC was selected by the City of Cincinnati to provide all intake applications for homeowners interested in the CLEAR program. This new program reduces lead hazards from your home and could involve repairs such as a window replacement or covering lead surfaces.
You may qualify if all of the following apply to your household:
• A child under six resides in your home or spends at least six hours per week in your home on a regular basis
• You have owned and lived in your home for more than one year
• Your home was built before 1978
• You live in one of these city neighborhoods: Bond Hill, WestEnd, Over-The-Rhine, Mt. Auburn, CUF, Corryville, Madisonville, Avondale, South Cumminsville, North and South Fairmount, West, East and Lower Price Hill, Walnut Hills, Evanston Northside or Carthage
Energy Conservation and Education Services
PWC offers several weatherization services to help homeowners and renters take control of their energy usage and save on their utility bills. All are income-based services.
• DUKE ENERGY WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM
• OHIO HOME WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE (HWAP)
• INDIANA HOME WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HWAP)
Those qualifying for and participating in the Duke or HWAP weatherization programs may benefit from the following:
• Energy audit
• Furnace cleaning and tuning
• Installation of weatherization materials (when appropriate)
• Compact fluorescent light bulbs
• Health and safety check of all combustion appliances in home
• Energy education tips
ELECTRIC PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (EPP)
The Electric Partnership Program is designed specifically for clients currently enrolled in or income eligible for the Percentage of Income Payment Program (PIPP), an extended payment arrangement that requires regulated gas and electric companies to accept payments based on a percentage of the household income. Participants work with one of PWC’s staff auditors to develop an energy action plan to help do the following:
• Learn how your home can better manage your electric usage
• Reduce the need for electricity
• Reduce consumption of electric
• Reduce growth of PIPP arrearage
Volunteer Involvement Program (VIP)
PWC’s dedicated corps of thousands of volunteers is a tremendous asset to the organization’s ability to maintain a strong presence in the community and complete thousands of home repair jobs a year. Individuals of all skill levels interested in giving back to the community are welcome – from master tradesmen to those wanting to learn a skill and even those who can only perform simple household tasks.
Volunteer opportunities Include:
• Field Service Volunteers: Join PWC’s team of Field Service Volunteers, made up of people with home repair skills who work regularly to provide minor home maintenance services for seniors and people with disabilities.
• Team Volunteers: Create your own experience with your company, school or faith-based group and team up to help PWC's clients stay safe at home. We will match you with a project that meets your skill level, interests and your schedule.
• Annual Event Volunteers: Register to participate in PWC’s organized, one-day volunteer events, including Repair Affair in the spring and Prepare Affair in the fall. There are also many opportunities to volunteer at our annual fundraiser, the ToolBelt Ball.
• Home Improvement Saturdays: On the 3rd Saturday of each month, join us individually or as a group to complete home maintenance projects in the community. These monthly weekend projects are ideal for people with home repair skills who want to be involved regularly but are not available during the week.
Modifications for Mobility
Modifications for Mobility is a critical program for PWC, targeting complicated home modification projects that are typically too expensive for its low-income, disabled clients. Modifications made under this program assist some of PWC’s most vulnerable clients, improving their daily mobility and independence. Depending on your location and your specific needs, clients may benefit from some of the following services:
• Accessibility ramps
• Bathroom modifications
• Chair/stair lift
• Grab bars
Whole Home Innovation Center
Building upon PWC’s 46 years of experience repairing homes, the Whole Home Innovation Center is a first-of-its-kind space, focused on health, home, and how the two intersect under one roof. The Innovation Center focuses on the relationship between our homes and our health, and the simple changes you can make over the course of your home’s life that make a difference for your family.
The Innovation Center features a variety of mobile displays that educate visitors on safety products, allows trial of items like pull-down cabinets and slip-resistant coatings, space for groups, and classes featuring guest lecturers, evidence-based training, and hands-on learning experiences.
Our community is growing older and more families are living with health challenges. Helping people stay safe and healthy at home is an important, urgent and growing need. The Innovation Center educates individuals and professionals on how the home environment impacts overall wellness. Building on deep knowledge and partnerships, we created a community resource model to serve citizens at all ages and income levels. WHIC is a convening space where interested parties work together, sharing information and ideas through educational workshops, interactive demonstrations and more.
• Stepping On: Stepping On is a falls prevention workshop that meets for 2 hours a week for 7 weeks at the Whole Home Innovation Center. Trained leaders coach you to recognize your risk of falling and help you build the balance, strength and practical skills you need to avoid a fall. Gain the confidence to stay active in your community and do the things you want to do.
• Whole Home Wednesday: Each week our Healthy Home Experts share tips on how to stay safe & healthy at home. From COVID-19 safety tips, to aging in place home modifications advice, visit the Whole Home Resource Blog each week for more information on how to stay safe & healthy at home.
Whole Home
Whole Home provides the home renovation and remodeling services that you need at all stages of life. From beautiful home designs and high-end products that will ensure you Love Your Home, to emergency services that will enable you to Get Home from a hospital or rehab center fast, along with products and services that help your home grow and change along with your family so you can be Healthy at Home in a comfortable and safe environment, the professionally licensed and trained experts at Whole Home can do it all.
Whole Home employs a team of licensed plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, and carpenters. Our project managers are all CAPS certified along with several other designations, such as CEAC and CLIPP. All employees of Whole Home undergo an FBI background check. We are a fully licensed and insured company.
Proceeds from this pay-for-service enterprise support the delivery of services for low-income households.
Where we work
Awards
Organizational Excellence Workforce Development Finalist 2023
Allied Construction Industries
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of volunteers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Volunteer Involvement Program (VIP)
Type of Metric
Other - describing something else
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of families served
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Average number of service recipients per month
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Numbers in 2020 and 2021 were lower due to the pandemic
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Our goal to help low-income homeowners remain living more safely, healthily, and independently in their own home. We do this by providing a wide array of home repairs, accessibility modifications and other services.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
PWC is unique in that we maintain a large staff of trades and construction professionals in order to meet the home maintenance needs of low-income homeowners. Because we have 85+ field staff members, we are able to deliver services that require permitting or licensure, and we are able to respond to true emergencies such as a furnace that goes out in the middle of winter, a burst pipe spewing into living spaces, sparking sockets that threaten to cause a fire 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our large complement of trades staff also allowed us to provide more than 8000 repair or energy conservation services in 2021.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
PWC has approximately 85 trades and construction professional staff members.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
To date in 2023, PWC field staff have completed over 3500 services, with another 800 services currently in process.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We act on the feedback we receive
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
Only a small number of clients return surveys
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
People Working Cooperatively, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 01/04/2024
Matthew Buddenberg
Messer Construction Company
Term: 2022 -
Gregg Shumate
Frost Brown Todd LLC
Mike Viox
Omnia360 Facility Solutions
Dan Cahill
Horan
Paul Colbert
Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp
Tom Colvin
Arthur J. Gallagher and Co.
Michael Dennemann
U.S. Bank
David Faulk
Macy's, Retired
Charles Gerhardt, III
Government Strategies Group LLC
Teresa Huxel
Macy's Credit & Customer Service
Stephanie Lambers
TriHealth
Anne McKinney
Procter & Gamble, Retired
Steve Mombach
TriHealth
Steve Ringel
CareSource
Russell Hairston
Avondale Comprehensive Development Corporation
Matthew Buddenberg
Messer Construction
Zachary Kuznar
Duke Energy
John Westrup
, Danis Building Construction Company
Irene Hamrick
UC College of Medicine, Cincinnati VA Medical Center
Dave Neyer
STNL Development
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 03/24/2022GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.