• Posted: July 7, 2022
• Homewood Science Center, Meany

 

After providing dedicated services and programs to over 10,000 students and community members each year, the Homewood Science Center required some much-needed upgrades. In order to continue serving as a place of education and learning, facility managers needed to replace a host of old light fixtures, theater signs, switches, wiring, receptacles, and exit signs throughout the building.

“Jim Valleyfield from IBEW Local 134 and I got together, and I was telling him about the science center,” said Rich Hofeld, mayor of Homewood. “He asked if there was a way IBEW Local 134 could become involved. I told him there was some electrical work that needed to be done, and he said, ‘count us in.’

In addition to providing valuable services for a local not-for-profit organization, Valleyfield recognized that the task of upgrading the science center perfectly aligned with Powering Chicago’s commitment to bettering communities in the Greater Chicago Area. Alongside Powering Chicago affiliate Meany, Inc., Valleyfield set IBEW Local 134 electricians to work making repairs and updates to the space.

“We met with IBEW Local 134, and they were so interested and excited in helping us,” said Homewood Science Center Executive Director Edie Dobrez, who watched as Powering Chicago electricians renovated the facility in order to continue offering programs to children in Homewood, Flossmoor, East Hazel Crest and beyond.

“For me, it’s a point of pride,” said Stephanie Stachura, IBEW Local 134 electrician. “To get to do what I like to do, and to get to make other peoples’ lives better… that’s the best feeling ever.” Thanks to electricians like Stachura, the vision of improving the science center has finally become a reality — something new and returning visitors alike will soon get to experience.

“It’ll be so exciting for people who’ve previously been involved in our programs to walk back into this building and see how different it looks because of all of the upgrades that have been made,” said Dobrez.

The value of providing service to an important community fixture isn’t lost on Valleyfield, who was grateful to oversee renovations at the center. “We love going out and offering help to our community members because a day of our service for us is something that they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.”