Convergence Project links people with needs to helpers

by Arlene Shovald special to The Mountain Mail

Some members of First Presbyterian and United Methodist Churches of Salida have joined with Central Colorado Humanists to begin a project that offers home maintenance help for house bound, elderly, and disabled individuals who are unable to do all of their own work.

The partnership was formed through The Convergence Project, a Chaffee County based international non-profit that facilitates different groups coming together to find common goals and to complete projects within their communities.

"We have a matching of people whose beliefs are faith-based with people who are not necessarily faith-based. What they found they had in common is that they all wanted to help a disadvantaged segment of our population, and putting differences aside long enough to do this is what The Convergence Project is all about," said Brock Oyler, Executive Director of The Convergence Project.

The Convergence Project originated in early 2008 with the goal of starting in Chaffee County and spreading outward. "We believe that people are more alike than different and that when you scratch the surface, this becomes clear," Oyler said. "It’s just that we hear more about our differences than we do about how we’re alike. When groups choose to work on a project together as these groups have, the similarities become more clear. At the first meeting of the groups, a Presbyterian Church member said he anticipated a lot of interesting dialogue as he rubbed elbows with the Humanists on this project."

The concept of volunteers helping the disadvantaged at home is not new in the local community. Neighbor to Neighbor Volunteers currently has a handyman who helps with home repair projects as part of its mission.

" When our groups expressed an interest in this kind of project, we spoke with Neighbor to Neighbor Director, Connie Cole to make sure there wasn’t a conflict," Oyler said. "She said there are some projects they are not able to handle such as yard work and roofing repair and help would be welcome."

House bound individuals who would like home maintenance work through this partnering are asked to contact The Convergence Project at: 303 519 2555 or email Brock Oyler at: info@TheConvergenceProject.org