By Jon Chown
A local nonprofit that provides small home repairs for seniors and people with disabilities is expanding its reach in Santa Cruz County as the need for safe, affordable home maintenance continues to grow.
Damians Ladder offers low- or no-cost minor home repairs to older adults and disabled residents living on limited incomes. Its mission is to help seniors remain in their homes in a healthy, safe environment — a goal board members say can prevent injuries and preserve independence.
Robert Graham (blue shirt), Charles Johnson (front), Roger Heitzman (back without cap) are all longtime volunteers for Damians Ladder.
“There is a need out there to help low-income seniors and people with disabilities,” said Chuck Maffia, a member of the organization’s board of directors.
Maffia said he first learned about Damians Ladder two years ago at a chamber of commerce dinner when he happened to sit next to the group’s founder.
“She told me what they did. I was kind of interested,” Maffia said. “I’m not the best handyman in the world, but I said I could help, whatever they needed.”
That help soon turned into a leadership role.
“They said they needed me on the board of directors,” he said.
Now deeply involved in fundraising and co-managing the organization, Maffia describes Damians Ladder as “a great organization” that is run with business discipline despite its nonprofit status.
“We may be a nonprofit, but we are run like a for-profit,” he said. “All our guys are totally vetted — background checks, including criminal background checks.”
Since 2023, the group has completed about 600 repairs with the help of 20 volunteers, most of whom have backgrounds in the trades.
Most are like Robert Graham, retired, who joined the organization a little more than a year ago as soon as heard about it.
“It really resonated with me, so I got engaged and haven’t looked back,” he said. Graham has made about 50 repairs so far. “I’ve never been so passionate about my work before.”
Graham said he is now the volunteer coordinator and wants to increase his work force from 20 to 50. Most projects involve minor home repairs and property maintenance, such as installing grab bars and handrails, fixing doors, replacing light fixtures, unclogging sinks, repairing drywall and installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The nonprofit averages about 1.5 services per client.
“Once you get in the house there are often a few other things to repair,” Maffia said.
After
Before
In one case, an elderly couple needed handrails installed on their steps and received a $3,000 bid from a local contractor. Damians Ladder completed the job for less than $200, Maffia said. If seniors can afford to purchase materials, the organization asks them to do so, helping stretch donated funds further.
“Our model is that it doesn’t cost the recipients anything. If they choose to contribute afterward, we just say leave an envelope. That model seems to be working. We’re getting very positive responses and people are contributing,” Graham said.
Damians Ladder began in the San Lorenzo Valley and expanded into Santa Cruz and Mid-County. The group has done a significant number of repairs in mobile home parks in Mid-County, where aging stairways can become hazardous. Installing bathroom handrails is also common. Insurance restrictions prevent volunteers from working on roofs, and due to the age of many volunteers, the group doesn’t do yard work. However, it can refer residents to other groups for those needs.
Now, leaders are focused on serving the Pajaro Valley as well, but need volunteers.
“We have a pretty good network from San Lorenzo Valley to Aptos, and our initiative for 2026 is to provide service in the Pajaro Valley,” Maffia said. The organization has its first volunteer in Watsonville and has already completed three repairs there, but needs a few more before it announces its arrival.
“We don’t want to go in and say ‘here we are’ and have nobody ready to go when people call,” Graham said.
The goal is to recruit six to seven volunteers in the Pajaro Valley and complete at least 50 repairs there in 2026 and 100 in 2027.
“There’s a lot of old houses and a lot of seniors in Watsonville,” Maffia said. “And a lot of people on the lower end of the income stream.”
The organization has raised about $150,000 since 2023 and credits early and ongoing support from community groups including the Scotts Valley Moose Lodge, Omega Nu and St. John’s Helpful Shop.
“We really appreciate the support from the community,” Maffia said. “Those three have been with us from the beginning and have helped us become successful.”
Damian’s Ladder was founded in memory of Damian Lanctot, who died in 2022 at age 39. Organizers say he was known for always making time to help others, and the nonprofit continues that legacy by assisting vulnerable residents.
“We’re the best kept secret in Santa Cruz County,” Maffia said. “And we don’t want to be a secret anymore.”
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Residents seeking services or interested in volunteering can call 831-200-1376.