Mission Statement and Brief History:        

The Jennifer Turner Project is a joint undertaking of the Mid-Hudson Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Department of Community Development of the City of Auburn, Maine. The mission of the American Society of Civil Engineers is to provide essential value to its members and partners, advance civil engineering and serve the public good. The mission of the Department of Community Development is toassist low and moderate income households with their housing and needed services, improve the conditions of Auburn’s neighborhoods, and encourage business development. The mission of the Jennifer Turner Project is to provide a specially adapted residence which will presently permit a severely handicapped person to continue to have a meaningful life in the community and which will be passed on in the future to other handicapped persons. The project was initiated in 2008 by Tammy Nosek and has been actively engaged in preparing plans, obtaining property, securing mortgage financing, obtaining pledges of materials and services from suppliers and contractors, and soliciting donations from individuals, corporations and foundations.

The Jennifer Turner Project

Jennifer Turner is a 40 year old woman who has been confined to a wheelchair since she was 13 years old as a result of a hit and run accident. She has been an active community figure and has volunteered her time unselfishly in helping others. She has developed community gardens and volunteered at a summer camp where she has worked with handicapped youngsters, serving as a mentor and role model. Due to years of repetitive arm use, Jennifer was forced to undergo tendon surgery on her forearms, wrists, hands and fingers. While she has surpassed the expected goals of the surgery, she is no longer able to use her upper extremities to do many activities of daily living or continue with other activities which brought her peace, such as cooking, gardening, swimming, kayaking and hand cycling.  She has virtually become a prisoner within the four walls of her apartment and is unable to open her apartment door, use the refrigerator or stove, turn on the faucet or even flush the toilet without the help of friends, neighbors, and family. The situation is a strain on all involved, including Jennifer, and it has become apparent due to many factors, that if the house is not completed soon, she will be forced to seek nursing home care at the tender young age of 40. In Jennifer’s own words, “Everyone ages and sees their body change but take away the limited use of arms you do everything with, from navigating your wheelchair to turning on a burner, and crippling disability occurs before gray hair.”

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has joined with the City of Auburn Office of Development to fulfill Jennifer’s dream of staying in the community she loves by building a specially adapted home. The new home, located in Auburn, Maine will embrace the 2007 "green" building design practices. It will be ADA compliant and equipped with a specially adapted lifting system that will allow Jennifer to transfer in and out of bed, the shower, and virtually any other seating area. Other adaptive measures will be provided such as a whirlpool tub to relieve spasticity and promote skin integrity; electrically operated doors, push button controlled appliances, a radiant heat system, and raised planter beds for gardening. In order to fund utilities and heating oil in the new house, her landlord, Auburn Housing Authority has made an exception to their normal programming and has agreed to allow Ms. Turner to use a Section 8 voucher toward home ownership.

The property for the building and start-up funds have been graciously provided by the City of Auburn as a deferred loan, and limited financing, based on income, has been secured at 0% interest towards ownership. The terms of this Federal mortgage preclude additional borrowing. All engineering services have been donated by ASCE member firms. The Travis Roy Foundation has committed $7,500 towards the lifting system. Mesa Angels Foundation has donated $1,000. A number of local contractors and building material suppliers are donating or discounting their services. Donations have been solicited from local businesses and fraternal groups. Jennifer is trying all she can to do to help raise the funds by faithfully participating in the Pink Pig Savings Program offered to her by the City of Auburn and the Housing Authority. The program promotes saving for home ownership by allowing and matching up to $50 per month. To date the project has obtained commitments of approximately $196,500 toward an estimated construction cost of $248,000, with a shortfall of $51,500. If this additional money is not raised by the end of October, the Federal mortgage commitment is in jeopardy.           

It is Jennifer’s expressed desire and intention that this building, to be known as the Jennifer Turner House, be passed on to a similarly disabled person or persons in the community upon her passing.  In so doing, Jennifer herself, by repaying the mortgage over her lifetime, will be the largest single contributor to the legacy that is created.  The building will provide a unique facility for these handicapped persons which are not otherwise available. It will permit them to have meaningful lives and continue to participate in community life.

We believe that equality is about ensuring that people are treated fairly and given an equal chance to have meaningful lives. We believe that this is not accomplished by treating everyone in the same way, but by recognizing that individuals have different needs, which may need to be addressed in different ways. In this instance, delivering equality means breaking down physical barriers through the modern mechanisms and adaptive equipment which the Jennifer Turner House will provide.  

We thank you for considering our funding request. Your donation will be publicly recognized in all accountings and expressions of appreciation.

Sincerely.

Tammy L. Nosek

President-Elect ASCE Mid-Hudson Branch

Turner Project Chair