Being an active presence in the Valparaiso community has been a joy for Paul Schreiner for the past few decades. Graduating from Valparaiso University, he has spent the bulk of his years in this community.
Recently, Schreiner has spent time as the Executive Director of Project Neighbors. He’s been acquainted with the non-profit organization since 1991.
“I signed up to be a volunteer on a renovation project here in town,” Schreiner said. “The organization had purchased old properties that were distressed and fixed them up to become more affordable for families that needed help living in Valparaiso. As a volunteer, I felt that I could offer some value to the organization.”
Schreiner has 25 years of background in the construction field. Once he became affiliated with Project Neighbors, he knew it would become something he wanted to pursue on a larger scale.
Following years of volunteering with Project Neighbors, he retired from his own business 11 years ago to become executive director of the organization. Being a part of the team has been an incredible experience for Schreiner.
“We had discovered prices were increasing significantly on housing in Valparaiso,” Schreiner said. “We started to acquire new land and build new projects. The highest point of this experience has been the interaction of working with a team of volunteers, mostly retired guys. It’s been an absolute joy to share the work day with people who have good connections with one another.”
Assisting the families who need Project Neighbors the most has been one of the most heartwarming parts for Schreiner.
“The dramatic difference that we see in the lives of these families is incredible,” Schreiner said. “We provide housing for people who are living on the street or in their cars. There’s some kids that might not have a backyard to play in or permanent housing to live in. It’s very rewarding to improve that experience for these families.”
While the experience has been filled with plenty of exhilarating moments, Schreiner is looking ahead to the next chapter of his journey. As he nears retirement, he looks forward to seeing how Project Neighbors can continue to meet the needs of this community.
“The challenge that we face is finding a way to finance our projects with the increase in prices," Schreiner said. “I hope Project Neighbors continues providing services to those who are greatly in need. As a small organization, it won’t solve the entire problem but it will bring a great benefit to less fortunate families.”
As Schreiner allows someone else to come into this role and carry on the work that he’s done for more than a decade, he’s intrigued about what his plans are for the future.
“I’ve always been a very active person,” Schreiner said. “The challenge will be figuring out how to turn the speed down from the rate I was functioning at to a slower rate.”
Schreiner considers Project Neighbors to be a great learning experience for him that has opened the door to plenty of new relationships.
Despite stepping out of his position, Schreiner still plans to be involved with the organization in a smaller capacity. He’s optimistic about the future of Project Neighbors and encourages people in town to volunteer when they have the opportunity.
For more information on Project Neighbors, you can visit its website.