PITTSTON — Bob Rensky’s office in Plymouth is air conditioned, an all-important amenity when temperatures reach into the lower 90s. That’s exactly where the mercury rose to on July 20, but the Wells Fargo personal banker didn’t spend the day at his climate-controlled workplace in Plymouth — he spent it in Pittston, volunteering with Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity.

At approximately 9 a.m., Rensky and a handful of his coworkers arrived at 54 E. Oak St. to work on what will become an 1,100-square-foot ranch-style home. By 11 a.m., tar had built up on Rensky’s arms and clothing.

“We got here early in the morning, marked off where the ground is going to meet the foundation and we had to tar everything underneath it,” Rensky said. “I have absolutely zero construction experience, but it’s just nice to come out and help.”

A Duryea resident, Rensky credits Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity Site Supervisor Bob Sherlinski for his shift from banker to home builder. For the last seven years, Sherlinski has taught each group of volunteers how to complete their tasks while on-site.

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“Most of the people that come are regular volunteers, they have no experience,” Sherlinski said. “Everything that we do is a training process all day long, so I’m training them and, hopefully, they’re going to pick up on something and learn it and it’ll be easier for them next time. Then every week it’s like a training process all over again; it’s a different group of people.”

Wells Fargo personnel will be at the site again next week when Sherlinski will have to tutor a new group of home builders. The site is booked with volunteers through November, all contributing labor to what a family of three will call home this time next year. For Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Karen Evans Kaufer, the concept of “home” is the most important thing the organization provides.

“I think to be anchored is one of the least understood and most important things you can do as a person,” Kaufer said. “Home ownership creates a sense of community; it’s good for the homeowners, it’s good for the community. The homeowners feel safe and secure.”

Home isn’t provided without a price; the family will pay into a 25-year mortgage and be subject to the same expenses as other homeowners.

Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity board member Jim Zarra referred to the program as “a hand-up, not a hand-out.” Zarra, who’s also secretary of the Pittston Redevelopment Authority, was instrumental in bringing the program to Pittston.

Zarra said the foreclosed property at 54 E. Oak St. was acquired last year by Northeast Pennsylvania Land Bank Authority, a Pittston-based entity that manages foreclosed properties, for $1. After Pittston City knocked down the home that once stood there, Zarra saw an opportunity.

“The focus of the redevelopment authority has been to get out to the communities and get the housing market revitalized,” Zarra said. “I wanted to bring Habitat to Pittston City to help with the revitalization. Primarily, we do projects on the West Side, from Wyoming down to Plymouth then from Plains down to Nanticoke. We wanted to bring something up to the Greater Pittston area.”

Zarra said it’s about more than just adding a house to Pittston, it’s about adding a family that will become part of the community and will live within walking distance of events like the city’s summer art walks and the upcoming Pittston Tomato Festival.

Even though Sherlinski’s immediate goal is to build a house, he doesn’t lose sight of the family. The project was still in its beginning stages July 20, but Sherlinski already had the family’s needs memorized and could describe where each room would be and what it would be used for.

“It’s just about helping people and if you can’t help people, then what’s the point of going on?” he asked.

Lauren Ginocchetti and Marleny Encarnacion cut lumber for a Habitat for Humanity home being built in Pittston.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_PSD072317habitat1.jpg.optimal.jpgLauren Ginocchetti and Marleny Encarnacion cut lumber for a Habitat for Humanity home being built in Pittston. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

Eli Oswald works to fit a piece of wood while helping to build a Habitat for Humanity home in Pittston with Wells Fargo volunteers.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_PSD072317habitat2.jpg.optimal.jpgEli Oswald works to fit a piece of wood while helping to build a Habitat for Humanity home in Pittston with Wells Fargo volunteers. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

Wells Fargo volunteers work to build a Habitat for Humanity home in Pittston.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_PSD072317habitat3.jpg.optimal.jpgWells Fargo volunteers work to build a Habitat for Humanity home in Pittston. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader
Wells Fargo volunteers help start year-long home project on East Oak Street

By Gene Axton

eaxton@civitasmedia.com

Reach Gene Axton at 570-991-6406 or on Twitter @GeneAxtonTL