A group of construction workers who are deaf is embracing the power of the community after someone stole thousands of dollars of equipment while they were working.
Michael Litberg of Neverless Construction opened up about an unusual moment he and his construction crew were faced with while they were recently at a Los Angeles home for a roof repair gig. At the time, the workers, who are deaf, were helping a customer during a storm.
Jan Menapace, whose home the crew was fixing, said she noticed something was wrong after the men came down from the roof to get a break from the rain.
“At first, you didn’t know was happening,” she said. “The guys were signing to each other and they looked like they were looking for something.”
“I said, ‘What’s going on? Tell me what’s going on! I could tell you’re looking for something,’” she continued. “They’re like, ‘Our tools. They were here and they’re not here.’”
Litberg said Menapace reviewed her home’s security cameras and found that two thieves pulled up to the workspace and took off with the crew’s tools while they were inside.
“I felt taken, deprived,” Litberg said. “This is our livelihood.”
The thieves took off with batteries, blades, a blower and several power tools. Upset, Menapace started an online fundraiser to help the construction crew. It proved to strike a chord with the community, who stepped up to help.
“People would just come by here and drop off lunch for them,” she said. And people calling and said, ‘Can you meet me at Home Depot? I want to buy you tools.’”
The crew quickly restocked everything they needed to get the job done thanks to the public’s generosity. Litberg said he and his crew are thankful for the outpouring of support and added they he hopes he can give back by training workers who are deaf and in need of a job.
