Violet offered a room at the old assistance center, now operated by a nonprofit.

With the director’s approval, Paige organized a pilot project that paired archival skills with support for people navigating incomplete family records.

She was careful not to promise reunions; she wanted to preserve stories with consent.

Gregory repaired shelves and built cabinets.

He did not put his name on the program.

When Paige asked him to teach a workshop on restoring damaged picture frames, he said yes and arrived an hour early.

One afternoon I watched them work together.