Building Freedom
They build freedom, one ramp at a time.
Servants at Work states its mission as follows: “Servants at Work builds freedom and independence through accessibility ramps. Guided by faith and the belief that everyone deserves dignity, we serve others with compassion and create lifechanging access to the world beyond their front door.”
Franklin resident Tim Thurston is executive director for SAWs. After losing his sister to cancer, Thurston accepted a challenge from his mom to go out and do something for someone else. At the age of 53, with little knowledge of construction, he volunteered to help build a ramp. By 2021, he left his career as a financial adviser and became a full-time employee.
Servants at Work was started in 2003 by Rik Hagarty, a member of Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis. Hagarty learned that to get a ramp built by Medicaid, a person had to wait at least 12 months. He knew he could do it quicker and launched the program, becoming its own nonprofit in 2011.
“What we have found is we need more leaders who can lead the ramp build,” Thurston says.
Opportunities abound for individuals and groups wishing to participate. Volunteers are needed to serve as project managers, hospitality team members, survey team members, finishing and inspection crew, customer service representatives, office assistants, photographers and videographers. Each on-site crew consists of two experienced crew leaders or project managers and eight to 10 volunteers. Construction experience is not required, making this a wonderful opportunity for group projects as well as individual experience.
With more than 5,000 ramps built to date, the goal for this year is to construct 600 new ramps throughout 72 counties in Indiana.
Leadership Johnson County has served as one of the premier volunteer patrons. In 2025, a “Ramp-a-Thon” was held by the Signature Program, and LJC’s Youth Leadership Academy built ramps each weekend last September. Bonded in Bottle and Franklin Elks BPO 1818 have also been instrumental in local ramp builds and funding. Thurston also said Hopewell Presbyterian Church, Greenwood Christian Church, Franklin Rotary and Center Grove Rotary have been dedicated support systems.
Volunteers often get back more than they give. Thurston described a recent aluminum ramp installation in Franklin when the first ride down the ramp was very emotional for the recipient as well as the caregiver. The new ramp provided not only an opportunity to regain independence and safety, but a restored ability to stay connected with their community. Those present were visibly moved by the impact and lifestyle changes they had just provided.
Following each ramp build, a volunteer calls the client four to six weeks post-installation to inquire if they have any issues needing fixed and to follow up on how the new ramp has impacted their lives. Thurston recalled that a short time after one install, the client passed away, but the widow explained how much her husband had enjoyed being able to wheel himself down the ramp to a deck area and enjoy the sunshine in his final days.
“We are in the people business that serves up ramps,” Thurston says.
The need is great. Most older adults want to age in place; however, many do not have homes that have features allowing safe access for walkers and wheelchairs. Twenty-six percent of older adults in Indiana report mobility needs. About 20.8 million people in the U.S. are living with an ambulatory disability. One in three adults in Indiana with annual household income below $25,000 report mobility challenges.
Servants at Work builds freedom and independence through accessibility ramps. The program is guided by faith, serving with compassion and treating everyone with dignity. They aim to create life-changing access to the world beyond the front door.
To learn more about giving and volunteer opportunities, visit sawsramps.org or contact admin@sawsramps.org.
