Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/711111
17 Q3 2016 / CINEMONTAGE "We walked into an elderly gentleman's house, and the floor caved in. By the time we were done, his house was a home again." Most of the Home Safe Home program clients are referred by social workers, doctors, family or fellow industry members. The majority of clients are over the age of 65, and some have disabilities. Their homes range from houses, apartments, condominiums and mobile homes to assisted- living facilities. Anyone in the entertainment industry qualifies for an assessment; family members of those in the industry also qualify. The program began in 2006 with less than a half- dozen assessments conducted annually. That number has grown to 200 per year, and Home Safe Home recently reached a significant milestone with the completion of its 1,000th home assessment. Holly Spiegel, a Home Safe Home project coordinator who has been working closely with Hall since 2010, explains that during an assessment she works her way front to back through the property, looking to make suggestions both inside and outside of the home. "I work from the mailbox at the curb all the way to the backyard wall," Spiegel says. She's looking for myriad safety issues, from the need for handrails in bathtubs to loose rugs that might cause a fall, to nightlights, exterior ramps and walkways. "Most importantly, we serve as advocates," Hall adds. Even when Home Safe Home cannot directly address a client's needs, the program can still help. "I'm extra tenacious and creative in finding solutions and equipment as well as reaching out and finding resources, wherever they may be," echoes Spiegel. Home Safe Home is often the first MPTF service for clients and can serve as a jumping-off point to many of MPTF's other valuable services, such as Financial Aid and Elder Connection. The success of the program would not be possible without the hard work and caring hearts of volunteers from the entertainment community, who show up to lend a hand. They are volunteers like Motion Picture Editors Guild's soon-to-be National Executive Director, Cathy Repola, who regularly gives back through MPTF's programs such as Home Safe Home, where she finds the experience of helping to improve the safety in a person's home exceptionally gratifying. "It was one of those experiences where you realize that you're giving your time and some energy, but you get even more in return from the experience of helping," Repola says. For years, Repola has been a volunteer, donor and avid supporter of MPTF. She has always helped connect fellow industry members to the Fund and is one of the first in line when the organization needs volunteers. Serving as an IATSE advisory committee member for MPTF, she understands the importance of MPTF's services. "As I sat in that committee, I learned more about social and financial services and all the other amazing MPTF programs," Repola recalls. "It was awesome that there was an organization doing all these things. And that's when my relationship became more than professional; it became personal." If you are interested in joining MPTF's extraordinary family of volunteers who donate their time and are passionate about giving back, call 818-876-1915 or send an e-mail message to volunteer@mptf.com. For more information about Home Safe Home, visit MPTF's website, www.mptf.com/safe, or call 323-634-3866. f Opposite: Editors Guild members who participated in the Motion Picture and Television Fund's Home Safe Home project in June were, back row from left, Ron Meredith, David Pelayo, Mark Lanza, David Eberle, Derek Stricker, Laura Mulligan and Saleem Aziz; front row, Rachel McPherson and Jessica Sisk. Not pictured are Riley Ellis and Catherine Chitwood, along with Mark Lanza's wife Debora. Photo by Ben Cowitt The success of the program would not be possible without the hard work and caring hearts of volunteers from the entertainment community, who show up to lend a hand. They are volunteers like Motion Picture Editors Guild's soon-to-be National Executive Director, Cathy Repola.