A Quarter of a Century... and Counting!

In 1995 two friends were each helping aging loved ones try to find the help they needed to maintain their homes.Finding trustworthy and reliable help at a price that someone on a limited income could afford wasn’t easy. After searching in vain for an organization that understood what people needed to stay in their homes and where to find it, they decided to create it.

Umbrella of the Capital District now serves over 500 homes in Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga  and Rensselaer counties in upstate New York. It is a membership organization.  For an annual fee, Umbrella members have access to a screened, skilled group of handy persons who provide a variety of services, including home repairs, housekeeping, lawn and gardening and shopping for a fixed hourly rate, currently $15/hr. The majority of  Umbrella’s handy persons are themselves retirees. They empathize with the homeowners and build a relationship of trust and mutual respect that often lasts for as long as members stay in the program.

In addition to home maintenance, Umbrella provides access to vetted contractors for plumbing, electrical and other jobs beyond the scope of retired handy persons. It also operates an around-the-clock emergency line for heat and other emergencies. Members who need assistance that Umbrella can’t provide, like personal care, often receive help in locating the services they need through Umbrella’s experienced staff.

Membership in Umbrella helps provide aging homeowners the ability to stay in their homes safely and with dignity for as long as possible.  To elderly homeowners this means they can afford to take care of their homes. To retired handy persons it means they are putting their skills and experience to good use. And to some family members it means being able to take care of their loved ones, despite living far away.