Future Physician Makes a Difference for Older Indianapolis Homeowners

This summer, Nathan Wang, a student at the Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM), joined Home Repairs for Good as an AmeriCorps member to support our Client Services Program. In this role, Nathan met with older Indianapolis homeowners to assess their needs and connect them with services they might not have known were available—helping ensure they could safely age in their homes.

Nathan’s decision to spend his summer with us was part of a broader path toward becoming a physician. Recognizing that many of his future patients will be older adults facing chronic conditions, he chose IUSM’s Health Integration and Healthy Aging scholarly concentration. Serving with Home Repairs for Good through AmeriCorps allowed him to gain valuable, real-world experience in the challenges of aging in place.

“So many things in the house become less accessible or safe as homeowners grow older. Beyond the home repairs and maintenance, I've realized a lot of these people have slowly become more isolated as their support network decreased over time. People they once relied upon for emotional or practical support either moved away, passed on, or became unavailable.”

He goes on to share his experience with one homeowner that stuck with him: 

“They had so many stories to tell and so much appreciation for having someone to speak with. I could also tell there was this huge feeling of relief since they would not have been able to deal with their home repair needs alone. This interaction highlighted to me how much this kind of assistance can mean to the people who need it.”

Home Repairs for Good does more than just home repairs, we show up for our Indianapolis neighbors to let them know that we are here for them, ready to listen and ready to help. Thanks to Nathan, his time, care, and listening ear amplified the impact of our mission. Isaiah Tworek, our Manager of Client Services, was especially grateful.

“With Nathan's help vetting clients we are able to see and help more people on their home repairs. He wanted to help, and he loved to speak with our clients. Nathan will be great at whatever he does down the road because of his great work ethic, attitude and his overall intelligence.”

From all of us at Home Repairs for Good—thank you, Nathan! Your compassion, dedication, and drive to serve others shine through, both in your work with our homeowners and in your future as a physician.

You can make an impact, too. Just like Nathan, you can help older adults stay safe in the homes they love. Whether by volunteering, joining as a monthly donor, or sharing our mission, your involvement changes lives. Get involved today at homerepairsforgood.org