Tucker's House, providing home modifications for youth with disabilities

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Graham Honeycutt, Executive Director of Tucker’s House, who highlights the Middle Tennessee-based nonprofit organization and their efforts to provide home modifications for families of children and young adults with disabilities. The organization provides financial assistance, construction management, and functional home modifications, which include making bathrooms accessible, adding adaptive equipment, adding solid flooring, adding ramps and widening entry doors. During the interview, Graham shares some of the history for the organization and how he and his family were introduced to Tucker’s House and were blessed by the organization’s efforts; and how he now has that same opportunity to help other families, after assuming the role of Executive Director five years ago, after Founder, Sunny Rosanbalm’s retirement. Graham describes their process and discusses the importance of pairing licensed therapists with architectural designers who understand inclusive design to ensure that the modifications made to a home will serve the children and families throughout their lifetime and assist them every day. They start with an assessment to create an individualized plan that accounts for a child's current and future needs, considering factors like prognosis and long-term accessibility. The pre-construction phase can take 3-6 months to coordinate all necessary parties, and the process involves details like installing solid flooring, widening doorways, and adding accessibility equipment like stair lifts. Graham discusses bathroom modifications for disabled individuals, including accessible showers, sinks, and towel racks, emphasizing independence and dignity. He explains that these projects involve collaboration with various community partners, and talks about their House to Home video series on their website and YouTube channel, which showcases transformations of selected families' homes. Graham describes some of their current projects, highlighting a ramp installation for a Spanish-speaking family in Murfreesboro and another project in Spring Hill, with filming underway for the next House to Home episode. Graham explains the organization's funding needs, including their "Thrive in 25" campaign to serve 25% more families, and emphasizes the importance of financial contributions and partnerships with construction professionals. Graham shares heartwarming feedback from families about the life-changing transformations their homes undergo, and provides various ways for the community to support their efforts, including visiting tuckershouse.org, watching their award-winning video series, and contacting them via phone or social media. Visit https://tuckershouse.org to learn more and get involved.