A Look Through the Lens: How Lucas Irvine Sees Home Repairs for Good

Lucas Irvine sees things differently.

Most people show up to a Home Repairs for Good project and notice the obvious. The cracked steps, the chipping paint, the roof that’s barely holding on. They see the work that needs to be done.

Lucas sees something else.

He sees the way a homeowner hesitates at the door, unsure what to expect from a group of strangers in matching t-shirts. He sees the way a volunteer grips a hammer a little awkwardly at first, not yet feeling confident in the work that they are about to do. He sees the way a house becomes something more when people show up to take care of it.

And then, he captures it all.

Lucas is the videographer behind Home Repairs for Good. He’s filmed homeowners standing in the middle of their newly repaired kitchens, still in disbelief that people showed up for them. He’s interviewed volunteers who came in expecting to do a little manual labor and left feeling like they changed someone’s life. He documents the moments where our mission turns from an idea into action.

“While documenting these stories, I get to experience the incredible sense of overwhelming happiness and empowerment a homeowner feels when they see their space transformed.” Lucas shared. “You can truly feel their excitement when they realize they have a safe, comfortable place to call home again. It is a really heartwarming sight to see.”

Video has been an important part of Home Repairs for Good – not just to document the work, but to show volunteers, donors, corporate partners, and elected officials why it matters.

“When we share real stories about the people we help and highlight the impact of the work being done, it shows people the difference they can make,” Lucas continued. “Volunteers feel motivated because they see how their efforts are directly contributing to helping homeowners. Donors are more likely to support because they feel emotionally connected to how their contributions are changing lives.”

The numbers tell one part of the story. They tell us 95% of older adults in Indiana, whether they’re in an urban or rural setting, want to age in place. They tell us that more adults are turning 65 and older in Indianapolis than ever before. And the sheer volume of requests we receive for support shows us the growing need for the work we do.

But behind the numbers, the stories that Lucas captures – and so many others that never make it in front of a camera – show us the real life moments where our work makes an impact. They show the sigh of relief from a homeowner when a repair finally gets done. A volunteer’s face light up when they step back and realize, ‘I built that.’ And those small moments – like a homeowner running their hand along a new porch railing, like they’re making sure it’s really real.

When asked about his passion for the organization, Lucas shared that “the team is made up of good hearted people, always ready to help and go the extra mile to make a real impact. That kind of compassion and dedication is special and truly makes all the difference.”

Lucas captures the stories. But the people who make them happen? That’s you.

If you’ve been thinking about volunteering, spring is quickly approaching where we’ll have an influx of projects ready for your support. If you want to help fund a repair, donations go directly into materials and labor. And more importantly, if you believe in this work, share it – tell people how Home Repairs for Good is building a more sustainable city for our older neighbors. 

Because for every house we fix, there’s a person inside who now feels safe again at home. They feel empowered to stay in the house they love. And that’s a story worth capturing and telling.