It’s demolition day for the residents’ kitchen at the Women’s City Club of Delaware.
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry have selected to remodel the roughly 420-square-foot room for the nonprofit organization at 135 N. Franklin St., which houses up to 10 women in need of financial assistance.
“This is a huge improvement for the women who live at the city club,” said Jo Ingles, publicity chairwoman of the club.
She said it has become outdated, worn out and abysmal.
“Doors were falling off the cabinets,” she said.
NARI along with 16 other association members and dozens of volunteers are working together to get a brand-new kitchen for the club’s residents. Local businesses are donating about $30,000 worth of materials for the remodeling, said Michael Gharrity, contractor for the project.
The demolition will begin at 8 a.m. today and the project will be completed in about two weeks.
The eight residents now living at the house will use one of the spare rooms as a makeshift kitchen during the process, said Beth Fisher, WCC house maintenance coordinator.
The WCC has worked with NARI for the past six months to make the project come to fruition, Fisher said.
“They’re awesome,” she said.
The kitchen has served as a community spot, Fisher said. Residents share the space and the food, while learning new cooking styles. One example that came to Fisher’s mind was when a resident originally from Africa taught them how to make a new dish.
“Who thought there’s such a thing as peanut soup,” she said.
The 4,964-square-foot, three-story house was built in 1887, Fisher said. It was once used as a sorority for Ohio Wesleyan University and the WCC took control in 1954. Since then the house has continued to house low-income women who suffered from domestic violence, trafficking and financial misfortune.
Residents tend to stay about up to two years, while trying to get back on their feet, Fisher said.
Business that donated material included Lowe’s OHM International, Konkus Marble & Granite, America’s Floor Source, East Worly Plumbing, Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting, Countryside Electric Inc., Dave Fox Design Build Remodel, Pro Exterior by APCO, Premium Hardware, Frog Hauling, Blair IT, SGO Designer Glass of Columbus, Hamilton Parker Company and Change My Place.
Volunteers include Kathleen Horrigan, Bill Maibach, Dennis Blair, Kelly Gleason, Ryann Castro, Jennifer Shepherd, Shari Bates, Noelle Sheets, Tia Kellner, Robin Carroll, Anne Rogers, Mark Mason, Pam Patter, Kyle Adams, Jeff Reasinger, Brittany Aleshire, Rachel Siclari, Greenscapes Guys and Ben Niedenthal.
Renovations will include a chandelier hanging from the ceiling, new windows, linoleum flooring with a wood-like appearance and granite counter tops with subway-tiled backsplash. Each resident will get her own locker-style cabinet to store her own food.
“It’s going to last for a long, long time,” Fisher said.
