Modcon Living News
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NEW TOOL LIBRARY WINTER HOURS TO BEGIN dECEMBER 1 - FEBRUARY 28
The Tool Library will be implementing new winter hours starting December 1, 2021 - February 28, 2022.
Tool Library Winter Hours:
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 9am - 3pm
Tuesday: 9am - 3pm
Wednesday: 9am - 3pm
Thursday: 9am - 3pm
Friday: Closed
Saturday: Closed
We will resume regular hours (as they are now) starting March 1, 2022.
Tool Library Regular Hours:
Sunday: Closed
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 12pm - 6pm
Wednesday: 9am - 3pm
Thursday: 12pm - 6pm
Friday: 9am - 3pm
Saturday: 8:30am - 11:30am
Because December 1 falls on a Wednesday this year, please note the following open hours the week of November 28:
Sunday, November 28: Closed
Monday, November 29: Closed
Tuesday, November 30: 12pm - 6pm
Wednesday, December 1: 9am-3pm
Thursday, December 2: 9am - 3pm
Friday, December 3: Closed
Saturday, December 4: Closed
These winter hours will be recurring hours every year from December 1- February 28.
For questions, please contact the Tool Library at 614-258-6392 or email ToolLibrary@ModconLiving.org.
For more information on our tool-lending program, please visit the Tool Library page.
TOOL LIBRARY MEMBERSHIP CHANGES FOR 2021
The Tool Library has adjusted fees to better support the cost of maintain inventory and keeping our doors open. New memberships are also available to better fit the needs of individuals and organizations. Here are the changes for 2021:
Individual Membership Fees (Single Property Owner)
Low-income members will continue to qualify for our "Pay What You Can" membership and yearly membership fees will remain donation-based. See if you qualify and complete and application here.
For those who do not qualify for "Pay What You Can," the following memberships will be offered:
- 30-day membership: $15
- Yearly membership: $50
- Expanded discounted yearly membership for students, seniors and/or veterans: $25
Individual Membership Fees (Multi-Property Owner)
If you own more than one property, regardless of income, the following memberships will be offered:
- New 30-day membership now available: $30
- Yearly membership: $50 for first property owned + $25 for each additional property owned
Organization Membership Fees
Organization membership fees will continue to be based upon revenue submitted. Please note the following updates to fees:
- Revenue $0 - $50,000: free
- Revenue $50,001 - $100,000: $100
- Revenue $100,001 - $250,000: $175
- Revenue $250,001 & over: $250New “Educator” Membership Now Available
- We are excited to begin offering memberships to educators looking to complete projects for their classrooms and students. Memberships will be project-based and dependent upon the tools requested to borrow.BCS Tractor User (eligible gardens only)
- Membership fee: $250/yr (price includes Tool Library membership)
- Late fees: BCS Tractor ($15/day) | Attachments ($10/day each)
- Maintenance fee: $5 (each time borrowed)
- Cleaning fee: $25 (if returned dirty)
***For questions regarding the BCS tractor and borrowing, please contact the Tool Library at 614-258-6392 or email ToolLibrary@modconliving.org
Late Fees
Please note the following updates to late fees:
- All tools that are currently $0.50/day are now $1.00/day
- All tools that are currently $1.00/day are now $2.00/day
- All gas-powered tools are now $10.00/day
Please visit the Tool Library page for additional information on our membership levels. Thank you for your continued support. With your help, the Tool Library will remain a shared space for the whole community.
TOOL LIBRARY NEW HOURS BEGINNING MAY 26
To accommodate our members and provide easier access, the Tool Library will begin new hours staring Tuesday, May 26. New hours are as follows:
Tuesday: 12p - 6p
Wednesday: 9a - 3p
Thursday: 12p - 6p
Friday: 9a - 3p
Saturday: 8:30a - 11:30a
*Please note that we will be closed on Mondays*
For the health and safety of our staff and members, we will continue our drive-up, no contact service and would encourage our members to continue to wear their masks.
About Reservations:
Members can always borrow tools without a reservation based on item availability.
We will continue to take reservation requests through our website inventory. In the note field, please include a general pick up time.
Phone Reservations will NOT be accepted. (If you would like to make an online reservation but are having difficulties, please send an email to toollibrary@modconliving.org for assistance).
We will no longer be accepting reservations for gas powered tools. Gas powered tools will be available on a first come first serve basis only.
As a reminder, a $5.00 fee will be charged for tools that are not cleaned before being returned and for extension cords not would up. Our new location does not have a space or hose for you to clean them on site.
To learn more, visit our Tool Library page or contact us.
TOOL LIBRARY SET TO REOPEN APRIL 13
April 7, 2020 - In order to support the community in meeting the essential needs of local agriculture including community gardens, and to support homeowners in addressing essential home repair and property maintenance needs, Modcon Living is pleased to announce the reopening of the popular Tool Library effective on April 13.
Modcon Living is dedicated to sustaining homes and neighborhoods by providing reliable, affordable home repair and modification services, while serving vulnerable homeowners during this challenging time.
Starting April 13, Tool Library will be open on Monday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. To minimize contact, we are allowing our members to reserve tools. Please make a reservation online through your Tool Library account or call us at (614) 258-6392 to make a reservation over the phone. We will be implementing a “drive-thru/pick-up” system to check out tools. Please follow the directions/signs along the designated, drive through course once you arrive.
To learn more, visit our Tool Library page or contact us.
MODCON LIVING COVID-19 RESPONSE
Program and Procedural Updates
March 20, 2020 – In the wake of recent announcements and orders issued by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Governor’s office, Modcon Living has implemented new policies and procedures to help promote public safety and curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) while continuing to serve our community.
The Modcon Living mission is to provide reliable, affordable home repair and modification services while serving vulnerable homeowners. Many Modcon Living clients are senior citizens, those considered to be at highest risk for contracting the most serious form of the illness according to the Washington Post.
Social distancing and use of health and safety guidelines provided by the CDC are extremely important in protecting community members at this time. Modcon Living has updated its policies and procedures accordingly for each of its vital programs.
The Safe at Home program continues to serve vulnerable senior and disabled homeowners throughout Franklin County with severable notable changes. Safe at Home repairs are being addressed on a case by case basis following a thorough assessment of emergent or urgent homeowner needs while being considerate of the health and safety needs of all concerned. Safe at Home teams have implemented all safety protocols as issued by the CDC, including jobsite disinfecting protocols.
Current circumstances will not affect those already approved to receive Safe at Home services, and scheduling of all non-emergent services will resume as soon as possible. Services that address exterior home repairs or urgent property maintenance issues that pose no risk to the homeowner or the Safe at Home team will continue without interruption.
The Tool Library has been temporarily closed to the public until April with a date to be announced. The organization continues to update, organize and clean the Tool Library warehouse and to update the related inventory database to better serve members upon reopening. Tool Library returns are being accepted and can be scheduled by calling 614-258-6392 or via email to ToolLibrary@modconliving.org.
In-home handyman services through social enterprise Mod Squad have been temporarily suspended, and urgent requests are being reviewed on a case by case basis following a thorough assessment of the needs and safety of all concerned. In these examples, the Mod Squad team has implemented all safety practices as issued by the CDC, including jobsite disinfecting protocols. A list of all project requests is being maintained with plans to reschedule projects in the order in which they were received as soon as reasonably possible. Exterior projects that pose no risk to the health and safety of the homeowner or the Mod Squad team will continue without interruption.
All Modcon Living personal meetings have been suspended until further notice.
The community is encouraged to consider supporting Modcon Living through in-kind donations of tools, goods or services as well as financial donations, as there are currently 170 homeowners on a wait list to receive services as of March 20. Visit the donate page to give and to view a “Wish List” of most needed items.
As new information becomes available, the organizational leadership and executive board will continue to improve policies and procedures that align with government guidelines to further protect the public. Updates will be provided via website news page, email, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
The community is encouraged to contact Modcon Living with questions by calling 614-258-6392, or via the website www.modconliving.org/contact.
Modcon Living Reschedules Grand Opening
March 13, 2020 – On March 12, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued an order prohibiting mass gatherings of 100 or more people in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Modcon Living has rescheduled its March 19 Grand Opening event in an effort to help protect the public at this time.
The Ohio Department of Health reported on March 12 that it’s believed that more than 100,000 people in Ohio are carrying the virus, with five Ohio cases confirmed.
Director of the Ohio Department of Health, Dr. Amy Acton is quoted as saying, ”Taking decisive action now will greatly slow down this disease and stop its trajectory.”
Modcon Living extends sincere thanks to the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and Columbus Landmarks for the close collaboration, and support in the planning and rescheduling of the event.
The Modcon Living leadership and executive board will continue to review opportunities to improve organizational practices and policies that align with government guidelines to further protect the public and the key constituents it serves.
For additional information, please contact Amy Flynn, Executive Director at 614-258-6392, extension 302, or email to amy@modconliving.org.
Modcon Living Welcomes New Director, Announces Grand Opening
March 4, 2020 – Modcon Living’s new location at 3840 East 5th Avenue in Columbus is now open, with a Grand Opening event scheduled March 19. The organization is pleased to welcome Amy Flynn as its new Executive Director following the retirement of Julie Smith.
“We extend a warm welcome to Amy Flynn, a talented professional who will bring continued leadership and vision to Modcon Living as we grow,” said Marc Stock, Modcon Living Board Chair.
An Ohio native, Flynn recently returned to Columbus, Ohio from Los Angeles, California. Her professional experience includes more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership, and a proven record of success in fundraising, community engagement and community relations.
“I am honored to have been selected for this role and am excited about the important and special opportunity to serve in support of Modcon Living’s mission in our community,” said Flynn. “I am so happy to serve the community that has meant so much to me growing up.”
The Grand Opening is scheduled March 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Columbus Chamber of Commerce will present a ribbon cutting ceremony promptly at 10:30 a.m. with a community open house to follow. In addition to prizes and special offers, a drawing will be held for $50 off a Mod Squad project valued at $250 or more.
Modcon Living’s membership-driven Tool Library has become a community staple and boasts a wide array of equipment and more than 4,000 tools. Mod Squad, a local handyman service for Columbus area homeowners, is a social enterprise that benefits the Safe at Home program for vulnerable Central Ohio seniors.
“I’d recommend Mod Squad to any busy family like ours, or anyone in the Columbus area that needs a reliable handyman and repair service,” said Michael Stinziano, Franklin County Auditor, following a recent home repair.
Visit the Events page, and make plans now to join Modcon Living on March 19.
Modcon Living Announces Plans for Relocation
Nonprofit Invests in 5th Avenue Commercial Space for Expansion
October, 24 2019: Modcon Living has invested in 5th Avenue real estate in Columbus with plans for relocation and expansion by year end. The purchase, accomplished with the help of a community benefactor, provides a permanent home for the organization.
“With support from our community partners, we found the ideal street-facing property on 5th Avenue, and the timing is perfect,” said Julie Smith, executive director. “Investing in property ensures the future stability of the organization, and support for those we serve, and aligns with our mission to help sustain communities and neighborhoods.”
Planned for soft opening in January 2020, and just one and half miles from Modcon Living’s current location, the recently updated space at 3840 East 5th Avenue in Columbus boasts countless benefits.
In addition to offering plentiful space for the popular Tool Library and staff offices, the location on the bus line will offer a private entrance with a welcome area, 1,200 square feet of community gathering space, an expanded workshop area, and ample kitchen to accommodate community events.
Free, paved, off-street parking at the new location offers more than double the existing parking space, with access to the new welcome center, as well as additional parking and storage for Modcon Living and Mod Squad vehicles and trailers.
Though the Tool Library will be temporarily closed effective November 9 to accommodate the organized move of more than 4,000 tools and supplies, Smith offers assurance on the uninterrupted operation of the Safe at Home and Mod Squad programs during the transition.
“Our mission, programs and staff remain the same, and other than the temporary closure of the Tool Library, it’s business as usual,” Smith continued. “Ultimately our new home will help us achieve our mission by making our programs better, and more accessible. It’s an exciting milestone for us.”
Plans for the opening of the new location adjacent to Modern Builders Supply, ODJFS Federal Credit Union and Skate Naked will be announced soon.
Modcon Living Partners with Spectrum Housing Assist
June 2019: June celebrates National Homeownership Month, and Modcon Living will partner with volunteers from Spectrum Housing Assist to kick it off with a special project on June 8. The project supports Modcon Living’s goal to serve 75 homes in Prairie Township by 2020.
“Our employees are happy to join the dedicated Modcon Living team to make a lasting impact in our community,” said Mark Dunford, regional vice president of field operations for Spectrum. “Through Spectrum Housing Assist, we can serve the community by helping make our neighbors’ homes safer and healthier.”
Opening remarks will be presented by Eric Elwell, chief meteorologist for Spectrum news, Erin Gibbons, director of community engagement for Columbus City Council, and Mike Stinziano, Franklin County auditor, along with Julie Smith and Jodi Sime of Modcon Living.
“It’s exciting to serve alongside Spectrum with the shared mission of improving homes and neighborhoods,” said Julie Smith, Modcon Living’s executive director. “This project will benefit the homeowner and our community in countless ways.”
Through Spectrum Housing Assist, the company provides critical home repairs across the U.S. by partnering with nonprofit organizations like Modcon Living. The company has set a goal to improve 50,000 homes by 2020 through this initiative.
To learn more, visit www.ModconLiving.org/events.
