In the last week, Melanie Redman has hung pictures, resurfaced a deck, changed a lock, touched up paint, and fixed a sticky door. Redman, also known as Jill of All Trades, knows how to do her “home” work. Customers call Redman when it’s time to cross items off what she calls the “honey-do” list—“all those projects people never have time to do on their own.” Whether it’s a new coat of paint or furniture repair, Jill has the skills.

“I work directly with my clients,” Redman says, “and if I can save them money by having someone else do it, I’ll refer them to someone else.”

When Jill of All Trades isn’t repainting and weatherizing decks, she works toward repair and rebuilding on a community level. “Now that I’m older, I’m teaching classes in Do it Yourself home maintenance. I’ll work with individuals, or a group of eight is great,” she says. “I’ve had half a dozen women get together, or groups of kids who want to learn something. I’ll teach them how to hang a light fixture or change a furnace filter or anything else. I’m happy to do these jobs now, but I’m not going to be around forever.”

Further building on these foundations, Redman recently began teaching classes for the Women Ventures Project, a program of the Community Action Board. “Women learn non-traditional trades, such as painting, sheet metal, public works, and construction.” They’re currently painting the Mid-County Children’s Center, and these women will leave the project knowing how to paint homes themselves.

Jill of All Trades is also dedicated to working with the disabled community. “We install grab bars for people both in and out of the house,” says Redman. “Being able to work with the disabled and creating a safe environment wherever they live or work is important.” Jill of All Trades recently attended an ADA Health Fair in Pacific Grove. They received a letter from Congressman Sam Farr, thanking them for their efforts. “We gave a presentation about things we could do so the disabled can stay safely in their homes. A lot of people go into interim care while they could be home, if they were set up with proper equipment,” she explained.

From grab bars for the disabled, to the “honey-do” list, from first repairs to finishing touches, Jill of All Trades has truly contributed to constructing the Santa Cruz community.