Building on Determination

Maher is the owner of Project Doctor, a contracting firm that specializes in home repair. After graduating from UMBC, Maher put the experience he gained through part-time construction jobs while in college into starting his own business. According to Maher, the transition from psychology to construction was easy: "People don't think there's a link between what I do now and psychology but there absolutely is. It's the people skills."

Wilbur moved into her rowhouse more than 30 years ago. She cared for her late husband in her home for several years, and later for her elderly mother before the fire left her home unlivable. To make matters worse, two break-ins at her home prompted Wilbur's insurance company to cancel her coverage two months before the fire.

Despite everything, Wilbur was determined to rebuild. Local news stations picked up Wilbur's story in 1996 and that's when Maher heard of Wilbur's situation. Maher met Wilbur at a community outreach meeting and volunteered his construction services. Her home was in poor, but sound shape. The third floor needed to be reconstructed, everything cleaned and new doors, windows and walls added. "To add insult to injury," says Maher, "after the fire, vandals got in and stole all the copper pipes and even the metal lighting tracks."

A year and a half after meeting Wilbur, Maher (with the help of volunteer groups such as the UMBC chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon) has rebuilt the third floor, added electricity and installed a burglar alarm. Because Maher and Wilbur depend on volunteers' time and donations of building supplies, progress has been slow. "I would love to say that Ms. Wilbur will be back in her home by the end of the year, but it really depends on vendors," says Maher.

"Ms. Wilbur defines determination," says Maher. "For 30 years she's taken care of people in her home. She's done so much for other people, but she can't get something so simple as her house back."

Living in a rental and now taking care of her disabled nephew, Wilbur is looking forward to moving into her own home with the help of friends like Maher. "Michael is an angel. He's always been there for me. I'm so glad to have him," says Wilbur.