Rebuilding Together Springfield galvanized 1,000 volunteers and repaired 25 homes in honor of National Rebuilding Day. Colleen Loveless, the executive director of Rebuilding Together Springfield, did such an incredible community rebuild because she wanted to have a broader and more sustainable impact on Springfield’s Old Hill Neighborhood. Old Hill is the poorest neighborhood in Massachusetts. Colleen said that a number of nonprofits have been building new homes in and around the neighborhood. However, Rebuilding Together Springfield wanted to revitalize Tyler Street in Old Hill to give back to the families that have been there for decades. “They needed critical repairs,” Colleen said. “We wanted to help these homeowners who have stuck it through here for all these years.” Planning for this expansive project started last November. Rebuilding Together Springfield had some applications in, but they went door to door in Old Hill and attended community meetings to spread the word. People were skeptical at first. Colleen said the poor and elderly are especially vulnerable to fraud. Some homeowners saw the free repairs Rebuilding Together promised to provide as too good to be true. However, it didn’t take too long for the community to start backing Rebuilding Together Springfield in their efforts to revitalize Old Hill. Usually, Rebuilding Together Springfield repairs about 15 homes with 500 volunteers for National Rebuilding Together all over the city on National Rebuilding Day. Now, they had 25 homes and 1,000 volunteers all on Tyler Street. “It’s pretty amazing work, and we got to see the totality of it and the impact.” That impact wasn’t just reserved for the volunteers. TD Bank sponsored a block party cookout with live music. There were face painting stations set up for the neighborhood children. Middle schoolers made flower pots and planted them in gardens. Senior citizens manned the arts and crafts table where they made signs for the homeowners.  The most difficult part for Colleen was making sure she had the right number of volunteers. As word spread, the momentum could hardly be stopped. More and more people donated and wanted to volunteer. Things originally thought impossible to do became a reality thanks to the new donors and volunteers. “It was a nice problem to have,” Colleen joked. One homeowner that really touched Colleen was an elderly U.S. Marine veteran. He still works full time to support his wife who was diagnosed with cancer. She finished her last round of chemo therapy a week before National Rebuilding Day. One of their children volunteered that day as well.  A volunteer who Colleen really appreciated was an elderly man who stopped by after lunch, because he knew a lot of morning volunteers would leave around that time. The Springfield man took a shuttle bus and rode his bike from the bus stop to volunteer for the event. Colleen said, “he did all the unglamorous volunteer work: cleaning up after the block party, lifting, trash removal.” And all their effort went beyond just landscaping and painting. Rebuilding Together Springfield volunteers converted oil heating to natural gas, removed mold, installed ramps, repaired roofs, fixed plumbing, and weatherized homes. They truly revitalized a community.

Rebuilding Together Springfield galvanized 1,000 volunteers and repaired 25 homes in honor of National Rebuilding Day.

Colleen Loveless, the executive director of Rebuilding Together Springfield, did such an incredible community rebuild because she wanted to have a broader and more sustainable impact on Springfield’s Old Hill Neighborhood.

Old Hill is the poorest neighborhood in Massachusetts. Colleen said that a number of nonprofits have been building new homes in and around the neighborhood. However, Rebuilding Together Springfield wanted to revitalize Tyler Street in Old Hill to give back to the families that have been there for decades. “They needed critical repairs,” Colleen said. “We wanted to help these homeowners who have stuck it through here for all these years.”

Planning for this expansive project started last November. Rebuilding Together Springfield had some applications in, but they went door to door in Old Hill and attended community meetings to spread the word. People were skeptical at first. Colleen said the poor and elderly are especially vulnerable to fraud. Some homeowners saw the free repairs Rebuilding Together promised to provide as too good to be true. However, it didn’t take too long for the community to start backing Rebuilding Together Springfield in their efforts to revitalize Old Hill.

Usually, Rebuilding Together Springfield repairs about 15 homes with 500 volunteers for National Rebuilding Together all over the city on National Rebuilding Day. Now, they had 25 homes and 1,000 volunteers all on Tyler Street. “It’s pretty amazing work, and we got to see the totality of it and the impact.”

That impact wasn’t just reserved for the volunteers. TD Bank sponsored a block party cookout with live music. There were face painting stations set up for the neighborhood children. Middle schoolers made flower pots and planted them in gardens. Senior citizens manned the arts and crafts table where they made signs for the homeowners. 

The most difficult part for Colleen was making sure she had the right number of volunteers. As word spread, the momentum could hardly be stopped. More and more people donated and wanted to volunteer. Things originally thought impossible to do became a reality thanks to the new donors and volunteers. “It was a nice problem to have,” Colleen joked.

One homeowner that really touched Colleen was an elderly U.S. Marine veteran. He still works full time to support his wife who was diagnosed with cancer. She finished her last round of chemo therapy a week before National Rebuilding Day. One of their children volunteered that day as well. 

A volunteer who Colleen really appreciated was an elderly man who stopped by after lunch, because he knew a lot of morning volunteers would leave around that time. The Springfield man took a shuttle bus and rode his bike from the bus stop to volunteer for the event. Colleen said, “he did all the unglamorous volunteer work: cleaning up after the block party, lifting, trash removal.”

And all their effort went beyond just landscaping and painting. Rebuilding Together Springfield volunteers converted oil heating to natural gas, removed mold, installed ramps, repaired roofs, fixed plumbing, and weatherized homes. They truly revitalized a community.

Posted 3 days ago
15 notes
Tagged: Rebuilding Together, Springfield, Massachusetts, Volunteers, renovations, home, community, cancer, RTNRM, .
On May 10th, Rebuilding Together New York City and Sears volunteers will repair three homes that were devastated by Hurricane Sandy in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Red Hook. Here are the people they will be helping. Mickey is the commander of the VFW Post 5195 in Red Hook. Mickey, born and raised in Brooklyn, is a Vietnam Army veteran, where he served 3 years and received a Bronze Star, Combat Infantry. For 30 years, Mickey worked for his boss, the former commander of the local VFW. When he passed away in 2000, his family offered Mickey to purchase the house. Mickey bought the house and made all the renovations himself. In November 2012, the storm surge from Hurricane Sandy caused the East River to rip through the Red Hook neighborhood, sending about 11 feet of water into Mickey’s home. Standing in a gutted home, with only floors now to stand on, Mickey is still in high spirits as he shared that Red Hook is a strong community that will return and rebuild. “I have never given up on this beautiful house and neighborhood, and I never will.” Veronica comes from a family dedicated to public service that first came to live in Red Hook 70 years ago. When she was growing up, wonderful smells of homemade lasagna, baked ziti, and fresh bread filled the house as her mother prepared large meals every week for the local church congregation. Veronica’s father, always over-protective, worked in the neighborhood as the local mechanic. Upon her father’s passing in 2009, she took over the household, and spent much of her free time going through all the items her parents left, discovering photos and the history of her family in Red Hook. During Hurricane Sandy, Veronica evacuated to a friend’s house, quickly returning the next day to inspect the damage the storm had caused. Due to the strong storm surge, water rose throughout the home to about 12 feet. Standing in the middle of her what was once her living room, Veronica says she feels that in many ways Sandy was a wake-up call for her. “I very much feel the presence of my mother and father within me, especially since the storm, that I not only will get through this, but I will continue to give back to my community as my family did. This is my home and it will continue to serve community as it has in the past.” Mahmood was born in Pakistan, and moved to New York when he was a child with his family. His family first settled in Cobble Hill. As he began to build his skills in carpentry, he found that he could fix up a home for him and his family affordably in Red Hook. His family moved to Red Hook in 1984. Mahmood now lives in the home with his son Junior, who is also a carpenter, along with his 12-year-old grandson, Matthew. Mahmood has since retired. He suffered back injuries over the years of hard physical labor. He starts every morning by sitting on his front stoop, greeting his neighbors, and occasionally goes for walks to visit his friends and family in the neighborhood. His son often helps provide for the household by working as the neighborhood handyman. Long before Hurricane Sandy, to assist with his living needs, Mahmood moved to the basement of his home where the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom were all on the first floor. It was easier for him to get in and out of the home without having to go up and down the stairs of his home. Now, after experiencing 7 feet of water in the basement, Mahmood has lost his entire living space.

On May 10th, Rebuilding Together New York City and Sears volunteers will repair three homes that were devastated by Hurricane Sandy in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Red Hook. Here are the people they will be helping.

Mickey is the commander of the VFW Post 5195 in Red Hook. Mickey, born and raised in Brooklyn, is a Vietnam Army veteran, where he served 3 years and received a Bronze Star, Combat Infantry.

For 30 years, Mickey worked for his boss, the former commander of the local VFW. When he passed away in 2000, his family offered Mickey to purchase the house. Mickey bought the house and made all the renovations himself.

In November 2012, the storm surge from Hurricane Sandy caused the East River to rip through the Red Hook neighborhood, sending about 11 feet of water into Mickey’s home. Standing in a gutted home, with only floors now to stand on, Mickey is still in high spirits as he shared that Red Hook is a strong community that will return and rebuild. “I have never given up on this beautiful house and neighborhood, and I never will.”

Veronica comes from a family dedicated to public service that first came to live in Red Hook 70 years ago. When she was growing up, wonderful smells of homemade lasagna, baked ziti, and fresh bread filled the house as her mother prepared large meals every week for the local church congregation. Veronica’s father, always over-protective, worked in the neighborhood as the local mechanic. Upon her father’s passing in 2009, she took over the household, and spent much of her free time going through all the items her parents left, discovering photos and the history of her family in Red Hook.

During Hurricane Sandy, Veronica evacuated to a friend’s house, quickly returning the next day to inspect the damage the storm had caused. Due to the strong storm surge, water rose throughout the home to about 12 feet. Standing in the middle of her what was once her living room, Veronica says she feels that in many ways Sandy was a wake-up call for her. “I very much feel the presence of my mother and father within me, especially since the storm, that I not only will get through this, but I will continue to give back to my community as my family did. This is my home and it will continue to serve community as it has in the past.”

Mahmood was born in Pakistan, and moved to New York when he was a child with his family. His family first settled in Cobble Hill. As he began to build his skills in carpentry, he found that he could fix up a home for him and his family affordably in Red Hook. His family moved to Red Hook in 1984. Mahmood now lives in the home with his son Junior, who is also a carpenter, along with his 12-year-old grandson, Matthew.

Mahmood has since retired. He suffered back injuries over the years of hard physical labor. He starts every morning by sitting on his front stoop, greeting his neighbors, and occasionally goes for walks to visit his friends and family in the neighborhood. His son often helps provide for the household by working as the neighborhood handyman. Long before Hurricane Sandy, to assist with his living needs, Mahmood moved to the basement of his home where the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom were all on the first floor. It was easier for him to get in and out of the home without having to go up and down the stairs of his home.

Now, after experiencing 7 feet of water in the basement, Mahmood has lost his entire living space.

Posted 1 week ago
Tagged: Rebuilding Together, Hurricane Sandy, natural disaster, New York City, volunteers, Sears, .
Rebuilding Together Alexandria helped Derrick and his family renovate their home in honor of National Rebuilding Day. Derrick, a father of six kids, has lived in his home for 10 years. His youngest is 8 months and his oldest is 18.  Derrick’s mobility is limited due to both his knees being operated on. The knee operations made it impossible for Derrick to continue working as a landscaper. When money started getting tight, Derrick began investing everything he could into what he saw as the most important thing in his life. His children. Derrick’s love for his kids can be seen all around the house. His fridge is adorned with photos of his children, of their great grades, and their schedules. He said it’s important that his children feel like they have the best quality of life they can have. Sports equipment fills the house. Derrick saves it all just in case a little brother or sister has the urge to pick up a basketball. If Derrick instills one thing in his children, it’ll be a love for learning. The family went 7 years without a TV, and the kids spent their free time reading. One of their living room walls is full of flyers from various colleges and universities. Derrick hopes it will inspire his kids to go to college. It’s apparently worked. His oldest is now studying architecture in Virginia. While volunteers were working on the family home, Derrick was quizzing one of his daughters on Roman history. He spent the night before helping one of his younger sons with a school report.  While the kids were growing to be readers, athletes, and college students, their home was beginning to fall apart. Their roof would leak when it rained or the snow melted. The front storm door had no screen or glass, so the heat and cool air would escape the home. The water heater leaked constantly, forcing Derrick to mop the basement for hours a day.  Derrick said it was hard for him to ask for help.”I had to swallow my pride. I’ve been working hard all my life.” Rebuilding Together Alexandria volunteers replaced the broken water heater first. In fact, they did it within days of seeing the condition of Derrick’s old one. On National Rebuilding Day, volunteers repaired Derrick’s front and back porches, replaced the broken storm door, installed handrails, painted the interior walls, and patched the leaky roof. Watching over a dozen volunteers repair his home, Derrick said, “It’s the best thing to happen. It’s a blessing.” 

Rebuilding Together Alexandria helped Derrick and his family renovate their home in honor of National Rebuilding Day.

Derrick, a father of six kids, has lived in his home for 10 years. His youngest is 8 months and his oldest is 18. 

Derrick’s mobility is limited due to both his knees being operated on. The knee operations made it impossible for Derrick to continue working as a landscaper. When money started getting tight, Derrick began investing everything he could into what he saw as the most important thing in his life. His children.

Derrick’s love for his kids can be seen all around the house. His fridge is adorned with photos of his children, of their great grades, and their schedules. He said it’s important that his children feel like they have the best quality of life they can have. Sports equipment fills the house. Derrick saves it all just in case a little brother or sister has the urge to pick up a basketball.

If Derrick instills one thing in his children, it’ll be a love for learning. The family went 7 years without a TV, and the kids spent their free time reading. One of their living room walls is full of flyers from various colleges and universities. Derrick hopes it will inspire his kids to go to college. It’s apparently worked. His oldest is now studying architecture in Virginia. While volunteers were working on the family home, Derrick was quizzing one of his daughters on Roman history. He spent the night before helping one of his younger sons with a school report. 

While the kids were growing to be readers, athletes, and college students, their home was beginning to fall apart. Their roof would leak when it rained or the snow melted. The front storm door had no screen or glass, so the heat and cool air would escape the home. The water heater leaked constantly, forcing Derrick to mop the basement for hours a day. 

Derrick said it was hard for him to ask for help.”I had to swallow my pride. I’ve been working hard all my life.”

Rebuilding Together Alexandria volunteers replaced the broken water heater first. In fact, they did it within days of seeing the condition of Derrick’s old one. On National Rebuilding Day, volunteers repaired Derrick’s front and back porches, replaced the broken storm door, installed handrails, painted the interior walls, and patched the leaky roof.

Watching over a dozen volunteers repair his home, Derrick said, “It’s the best thing to happen. It’s a blessing.” 

Posted 2 weeks ago
Tagged: Rebuilding Together, Alexandria, Virginia, Family, Education, home renovations, volunteering, kids, RTNRM, National Rebuilding Day, National Rebuilding Month, .
This is a guest post by Stephanie Carvajal, AmeriCorps Member, Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade The University of Scranton Women’s Crew Team, a group of 17 energetic and hard working women, packed into two fifteen passenger vans and made the 25 hour drive from Scranton, Pennsylvania to Miami, Florida to spend their Spring Break volunteering with the Miami-Dade affiliate of Rebuilding Together. The Women’s crew team has made it a team tradition to spend their spring break volunteering; each year dedicating their time to a different non-profit organization. In the past, the university would sponsor the team’s trip, but in recent years their funding has been cut, leaving the girls to fund the trip themselves. Through the generosity of Reverend Susan Keedy and the All Angels Episcopal Church in Miami Springs, FL, the team was given a place to stay free of charge. Once the team received the news that their housing would be taken care of, the team, armed with jars of peanut butter & jelly that had been donated by the university’s cafeteria, made their way down to Miami. The team spent four days helping the Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade staff rehab two homes in the South Miami area. Both homes had interior renovations completed prior to the team’s arrival and were in need of exterior painting. The group did an excellent job on both homes with both family members and neighbors expressing how unrecognizable the homes looked. One homeowner, an elderly gentleman, who in recent years has suffered both a heart attack and stroke deeming him unable to walk on his own, asked his family to please help him outside of his home so he could see the work the team had done. The homeowner was so overjoyed with the work the team had done, he thanked each of the women individually.  “Having the opportunity to work with Rebuilding Together has been a truly remarkable and heartwarming experience. The hard work we put in pays off when we see how grateful the people we help are and to be able to help others is wonderful. I wouldn’t have wanted to spend Spring Break any other way. This has been an amazing opportunity that has helped us grow as a team and has helped me grow as a person” – Jessica Peterson, Class of 2016.

This is a guest post by Stephanie Carvajal, AmeriCorps Member, Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade

The University of Scranton Women’s Crew Team, a group of 17 energetic and hard working women, packed into two fifteen passenger vans and made the 25 hour drive from Scranton, Pennsylvania to Miami, Florida to spend their Spring Break volunteering with the Miami-Dade affiliate of Rebuilding Together. The Women’s crew team has made it a team tradition to spend their spring break volunteering; each year dedicating their time to a different non-profit organization. In the past, the university would sponsor the team’s trip, but in recent years their funding has been cut, leaving the girls to fund the trip themselves. Through the generosity of Reverend Susan Keedy and the All Angels Episcopal Church in Miami Springs, FL, the team was given a place to stay free of charge. Once the team received the news that their housing would be taken care of, the team, armed with jars of peanut butter & jelly that had been donated by the university’s cafeteria, made their way down to Miami.

The team spent four days helping the Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade staff rehab two homes in the South Miami area. Both homes had interior renovations completed prior to the team’s arrival and were in need of exterior painting. The group did an excellent job on both homes with both family members and neighbors expressing how unrecognizable the homes looked. One homeowner, an elderly gentleman, who in recent years has suffered both a heart attack and stroke deeming him unable to walk on his own, asked his family to please help him outside of his home so he could see the work the team had done. The homeowner was so overjoyed with the work the team had done, he thanked each of the women individually.

 “Having the opportunity to work with Rebuilding Together has been a truly remarkable and heartwarming experience. The hard work we put in pays off when we see how grateful the people we help are and to be able to help others is wonderful. I wouldn’t have wanted to spend Spring Break any other way. This has been an amazing opportunity that has helped us grow as a team and has helped me grow as a person” – Jessica Peterson, Class of 2016.

Posted 3 weeks ago
2 notes
Tagged: university of scranton, Rebuilding Together, Miami, AmeriCorps, College, Sports, Volunteer, Spring Break, .
Tomorrow at 7:30 a.m., Lifetime’s Designing Spaces will air the final installment of Joy Stewart’s journey. Joy and her grandchildren were living in a home without any heat, water, electricity, or even food. Last December, The local authorities stepped in and helped spread the word about the amount of help Joy and her family needed. Joy’s community banded together and helped her turn her utilities back on. Walmart, Brand Smart and Home Deport donated a water heater, refrigerator, food, clothes, and toys. However, the condition of their home was unlivable and the holiday spirit of giving came to an end. That’s where Rebuilding Together Broward County and Designing Spaces stepped in. Designing Spaces’ Dream Team took on the biggest rehabilitation challenge they’ve ever seen.Rebuilding Together Broward County and Designing Spaces spent two weeks turning Joy’s house into a safe and healthy home for her and her grandchildren.  You can their amazing work tomorrow on Lifetime at 7:30 a.m. 

Tomorrow at 7:30 a.m., Lifetime’s Designing Spaces will air the final installment of Joy Stewart’s journey.

Joy and her grandchildren were living in a home without any heat, water, electricity, or even food. Last December, The local authorities stepped in and helped spread the word about the amount of help Joy and her family needed. Joy’s community banded together and helped her turn her utilities back on. Walmart, Brand Smart and Home Deport donated a water heater, refrigerator, food, clothes, and toys. However, the condition of their home was unlivable and the holiday spirit of giving came to an end.

That’s where Rebuilding Together Broward County and Designing Spaces stepped in. Designing Spaces’ Dream Team took on the biggest rehabilitation challenge they’ve ever seen.Rebuilding Together Broward County and Designing Spaces spent two weeks turning Joy’s house into a safe and healthy home for her and her grandchildren. 

You can their amazing work tomorrow on Lifetime at 7:30 a.m. 

Posted 1 month ago
Tagged: Designing Spaces, Lifetime, poverty, home, renovations, repairs, community, volunteering, Broward County, .
Charity Navigator has awarded Rebuilding Together with a 4-star rating for the 9th year in a row. This mark of distinction places us in the top one percent of organizations evaluated. You can visit Charity Navigator’s website to review our profile, learn more about their methodologies and see their tips on being a savvy donor. What does this rating mean to you? Our 4-star rating means that you can trust Rebuilding Together to use our resources responsibly to provide extensive home rehabilitation and modification services to homeowners in need at no cost to those we serve. Our work positively impacts the condition of the surrounding community as well through community center rehabilitation, playground builds, and partnerships with organizations focused on energy efficiency, sustainable community gardens, volunteer engagement, and education. With the help of everyday citizen volunteers, skilled tradespeople, and the support of local business and major corporate partners, Rebuilding Together affiliates make life better for thousands of low-income homeowners every year. Rebuilding Together’s 4-star rating from Charity Navigator also means that when you support us, you are supporting one of the best safe and healthy housing organizations in the United States. According to Charity Navigator’s rating chart, a 4-star rating means we are exceptional because we exceed industry standards and outperform most charities in our cause. Our network of almost 200 affiliated non-profits brings together 200,000 volunteers and completes nearly 10,000 projects each year. For every $1 donated to Rebuilding Together, $4 of value is delivered to our projects. Collectively that’s over $1.3 billion in market value reinvested to date into the communities we serve. We encourage you to visit our profile on Charity Navigator to learn about our great financial health, accountability and transparency. “Rebuilding Together is honored to be included in the top 1 percent of charities that have received at least nine consecutive 4-star evaluations from Charity Navigator,” said John L. Fiegel, interim president and CEO of Rebuilding Together. “This outstanding rating demonstrates our ability to serve the needs of low-income homeowners and communities in an efficient and cost effective manner and validates our mission to our donors, supporters, and our affiliates. We strive to be a fiscally responsible organization while increasing the capacity and outreach of our programs.” There are currently 6,000 homeowners in need on the Rebuilding Together waiting list depending on supporters like you. We believe that everyone deserves to live in a safe and healthy home. If you agree and would like to join our efforts, please visit us online to offer your support, look up your local affiliate to volunteer on an upcoming project, engage with us on social media and more. Your support helps your neighbors near and far with free critical home repairs. Home by Home, Block by Block, entire communities are transformed with your support.

Charity Navigator has awarded Rebuilding Together with a 4-star rating for the 9th year in a row. This mark of distinction places us in the top one percent of organizations evaluated. You can visit Charity Navigator’s website to review our profile, learn more about their methodologies and see their tips on being a savvy donor.

What does this rating mean to you? Our 4-star rating means that you can trust Rebuilding Together to use our resources responsibly to provide extensive home rehabilitation and modification services to homeowners in need at no cost to those we serve. Our work positively impacts the condition of the surrounding community as well through community center rehabilitation, playground builds, and partnerships with organizations focused on energy efficiency, sustainable community gardens, volunteer engagement, and education. With the help of everyday citizen volunteers, skilled tradespeople, and the support of local business and major corporate partners, Rebuilding Together affiliates make life better for thousands of low-income homeowners every year.

Rebuilding Together’s 4-star rating from Charity Navigator also means that when you support us, you are supporting one of the best safe and healthy housing organizations in the United States. According to Charity Navigator’s rating chart, a 4-star rating means we are exceptional because we exceed industry standards and outperform most charities in our cause. Our network of almost 200 affiliated non-profits brings together 200,000 volunteers and completes nearly 10,000 projects each year. For every $1 donated to Rebuilding Together, $4 of value is delivered to our projects. Collectively that’s over $1.3 billion in market value reinvested to date into the communities we serve. We encourage you to visit our profile on Charity Navigator to learn about our great financial health, accountability and transparency.

“Rebuilding Together is honored to be included in the top 1 percent of charities that have received at least nine consecutive 4-star evaluations from Charity Navigator,” said John L. Fiegel, interim president and CEO of Rebuilding Together. “This outstanding rating demonstrates our ability to serve the needs of low-income homeowners and communities in an efficient and cost effective manner and validates our mission to our donors, supporters, and our affiliates. We strive to be a fiscally responsible organization while increasing the capacity and outreach of our programs.”

There are currently 6,000 homeowners in need on the Rebuilding Together waiting list depending on supporters like you. We believe that everyone deserves to live in a safe and healthy home. If you agree and would like to join our efforts, please visit us online to offer your support, look up your local affiliate to volunteer on an upcoming project, engage with us on social media and more. Your support helps your neighbors near and far with free critical home repairs. Home by Home, Block by Block, entire communities are transformed with your support.

Posted 1 month ago
2 notes
Tagged: Rebuilding Together, Low income, homes, families, veterans, disability, elderly, accessibility, nonprofits, .
Mary Anne, 50, is a mother of two. She is also the proud grandmother of two children. She has lived in her family’s home for over 25 years. Mary Anne has been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. This Gig Harbor homeowner, who lives alone, would struggle to make it up and down the stairs every day due to her condition. Muscular dystrophy even made it difficult for Mary Anne to use her shower and bathroom.  Rebuilding Together South Sound helped Mary Anne by making her home more accessible. An occupational therapist volunteered to help turn Mary Anne’s house into a safe and healthy home. They installed a transfer pole and a hand rail to help her with climbing steps. A grab bar was put in place by her toilet and shower so she could easily move around her bathroom.  Rachel Lehr, Rebuilding Together’s South Sound’s AmeriCorps Year Round Coordinator, said Mary Anne was thrilled with her renovations, especially the transfer pole. “She said it was so beautiful. She was really excited about it because it made her safe at home.” Mary Anne got along extremely well with her occupational therapist volunteer. “It was such a good match,” said Rachel. “It made sense to put them together. He was very respectful and he works with clients like this all the time. He knows the right questions and understands her situation. He could create solutions for her.”

Mary Anne, 50, is a mother of two. She is also the proud grandmother of two children. She has lived in her family’s home for over 25 years.

Mary Anne has been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. This Gig Harbor homeowner, who lives alone, would struggle to make it up and down the stairs every day due to her condition. Muscular dystrophy even made it difficult for Mary Anne to use her shower and bathroom. 

Rebuilding Together South Sound helped Mary Anne by making her home more accessible. An occupational therapist volunteered to help turn Mary Anne’s house into a safe and healthy home. They installed a transfer pole and a hand rail to help her with climbing steps. A grab bar was put in place by her toilet and shower so she could easily move around her bathroom. 

Rachel Lehr, Rebuilding Together’s South Sound’s AmeriCorps Year Round Coordinator, said Mary Anne was thrilled with her renovations, especially the transfer pole. “She said it was so beautiful. She was really excited about it because it made her safe at home.”

Mary Anne got along extremely well with her occupational therapist volunteer. “It was such a good match,” said Rachel. “It made sense to put them together. He was very respectful and he works with clients like this all the time. He knows the right questions and understands her situation. He could create solutions for her.”

Posted 1 month ago
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Tagged: Rebuilding Together, accessibility, muscular dystrophy, gig harbor, volunteer, occupational therapists, family, .
In honor of Women’s History Month, we spoke to a few of our exceptional female leaders to get their thoughts on their careers, their communities, the women who have inspired them, and their advice to women trying to make it in the nonprofit world. Pam Howe, a board member of Rebuilding Together Peoria, first got involved with Rebuilding Together through volunteering. After finding her volunteer experience so rewarding, she joined Peoria’s Project Selection Committee in 1995. She has been with Rebuilding Together Peoria ever since serving in several roles. Amy Hoyte, Executive Director of Rebuilding Together South Sound, joined Rebuilding Together through what she called “a lovely mistake.” She quit her previous job during her maternity leave and was searching for an administrative job with a construction company. A friend of hers led her to Rebuilding Together South Sound. After a couple weeks, “Rebuilding Together South Sound became my second baby,” said Amy. And it’s been her second baby for 8 years. Julie Smith, Executive Director of Rebuilding Together Central Ohio, saw her first Rebuilding Together project in 1996 while she worked with kids in social services. Her husband was one of the first volunteers her affiliate saw in 1991. She became the Executive Director in 1998. The Impact All of these leaders have a story to tell about how a homeowner or volunteer affected them. Two of Pam’s service recipients and their families come out to volunteer for Rebuilding Together Peoria every year on National Rebuild Day. She finds constant inspiration from them. “They have encountered circumstances beyond their control that leave them with physical or financial limitations. Such limitations have not jaded or impeded their willingness to help others, and I will not let the daily challenges or stresses in my life jade or impede me.” A family Amy met in the beginning of her time with Rebuilding Together still holds a place in her heart. A couple with two teenage boys just had a baby born with severe disabilities. The mother quit her job to care for their child, which significantly impacted their income. The father had to ignore calls from work at night regarding mandatory overtime because they’d lose their Medicaid benefits if he worked too much, which was how they could afford the specialized food their child needed to eat.  “There was no way to describe the feeling in that house that day for me,” said Amy, a new mom herself at the time. “It hit home and I knew that I would be doing this work for a long time.” Julie said her volunteers make it impossible not to be happy with her work when they are so happy to be there. “They’re talented and willing to share with each other and our homeowners. It’s the best training grounds for people who want to be homeowners.” You Can’t Do it Alone None of these women take sole credit for their successes. “One role model has been Mother Theresa and her Missionaries of Charity vow to give wholehearted and free service to the poorest of the poor,” said Pam. “My professional role model has been my own mother, who successfully balanced family life and full-time employment at a time when female employment outside the home was not widely accepted. My Rebuilding Together role model was former Vice President for Affiliate Relations, Melissa Flynn, whose ability to convert passion into action I strive to emulate within my affiliate.” Amy thanks her mother and teachers she had growing up for nurturing her and allowing her the opportunities to make mistakes and to learn from them. She also draws inspiration from Melissa Flynn and Amy Radachi in the Rebuilding Together Network for their long-term dedication to the cause. Julie credits her father and her family for her success. Her sister has worked with Rebuilding Together as well for 9 years and her husband has been a constant volunteer. Advice to Women Working in Nonprofits “Seek out as many different types of experiences as possible at first, to help determine what it is that they are passionate about.” – Amy “Embrace the cause and let it guide all decisions and actions. Surround yourself with talented people. Develop relationships with a diverse network of advisors and centers of influence.” – Pam “Stick to your mission. Know your mission. You have to look at it like a for profit. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Nonprofit is still a woman’s world. It’s one place we are truly equal.” - Julie

In honor of Women’s History Month, we spoke to a few of our exceptional female leaders to get their thoughts on their careers, their communities, the women who have inspired them, and their advice to women trying to make it in the nonprofit world.

Pam Howe, a board member of Rebuilding Together Peoria, first got involved with Rebuilding Together through volunteering. After finding her volunteer experience so rewarding, she joined Peoria’s Project Selection Committee in 1995. She has been with Rebuilding Together Peoria ever since serving in several roles.

Amy Hoyte, Executive Director of Rebuilding Together South Sound, joined Rebuilding Together through what she called “a lovely mistake.” She quit her previous job during her maternity leave and was searching for an administrative job with a construction company. A friend of hers led her to Rebuilding Together South Sound. After a couple weeks, “Rebuilding Together South Sound became my second baby,” said Amy. And it’s been her second baby for 8 years.

Julie Smith, Executive Director of Rebuilding Together Central Ohio, saw her first Rebuilding Together project in 1996 while she worked with kids in social services. Her husband was one of the first volunteers her affiliate saw in 1991. She became the Executive Director in 1998.

The Impact

All of these leaders have a story to tell about how a homeowner or volunteer affected them.

Two of Pam’s service recipients and their families come out to volunteer for Rebuilding Together Peoria every year on National Rebuild Day. She finds constant inspiration from them. “They have encountered circumstances beyond their control that leave them with physical or financial limitations. Such limitations have not jaded or impeded their willingness to help others, and I will not let the daily challenges or stresses in my life jade or impede me.”

A family Amy met in the beginning of her time with Rebuilding Together still holds a place in her heart. A couple with two teenage boys just had a baby born with severe disabilities. The mother quit her job to care for their child, which significantly impacted their income. The father had to ignore calls from work at night regarding mandatory overtime because they’d lose their Medicaid benefits if he worked too much, which was how they could afford the specialized food their child needed to eat.

 “There was no way to describe the feeling in that house that day for me,” said Amy, a new mom herself at the time. “It hit home and I knew that I would be doing this work for a long time.”

Julie said her volunteers make it impossible not to be happy with her work when they are so happy to be there. “They’re talented and willing to share with each other and our homeowners. It’s the best training grounds for people who want to be homeowners.”

You Can’t Do it Alone

None of these women take sole credit for their successes.

“One role model has been Mother Theresa and her Missionaries of Charity vow to give wholehearted and free service to the poorest of the poor,” said Pam. “My professional role model has been my own mother, who successfully balanced family life and full-time employment at a time when female employment outside the home was not widely accepted. My Rebuilding Together role model was former Vice President for Affiliate Relations, Melissa Flynn, whose ability to convert passion into action I strive to emulate within my affiliate.”

Amy thanks her mother and teachers she had growing up for nurturing her and allowing her the opportunities to make mistakes and to learn from them. She also draws inspiration from Melissa Flynn and Amy Radachi in the Rebuilding Together Network for their long-term dedication to the cause.

Julie credits her father and her family for her success. Her sister has worked with Rebuilding Together as well for 9 years and her husband has been a constant volunteer.

Advice to Women Working in Nonprofits

“Seek out as many different types of experiences as possible at first, to help determine what it is that they are passionate about.” – Amy

“Embrace the cause and let it guide all decisions and actions. Surround yourself with talented people. Develop relationships with a diverse network of advisors and centers of influence.” – Pam

“Stick to your mission. Know your mission. You have to look at it like a for profit. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Nonprofit is still a woman’s world. It’s one place we are truly equal.” - Julie

Posted 1 month ago
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Tagged: Rebuilding Together, Women, leadership, Women's History Month, March, nonprofit, volunteer, community, .
Kim is a single mother raising 3 kids and works full time in hospital administration. Her son Robert, 17, plays basketball and football at the same high school Kim and her father graduated from. Tyree, 17, is a friend of Robert who Kim took in. Omari, 8, is Kim’s nephew and he was adopted by Kim when he was only 2 days old.  Kim and her family live in Seattle’s Columbia City neighborhood. Columbia City is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the Northwest in terms of income and ethnicity. The majority of the neighborhood is made up of single-family homes and some low-income apartments. The views of Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains have prompted the building of expensive new homes. Despite rapid gentrification, pockets of poverty still exist.  Rebuilding Together Seattle is working with Kim and her family to ensure they are living in a safe and healthy home. They endured Seattle’s winter without any heat due to not being able to afford oil for their furnace. Cold air would blow in from a detached window in the living room. Kim said that she hated seeing her boys have to do their homework with blankets wrapped around their shoulders.  Their kitchen needs extensive repairs. The family depends on a mini-fridge to store food due to their fridge being broken. Only two burners on their oven work. The sink constantly leaks, which makes the family have to empty a bucket of water into the tub regularly.  Rebuilding Together Seattle is currently working on their work scope for Kim’s home. They hope to replace the detached window, their fridge, the broken stove, and their basement door. They’d also like volunteers to fix a leaking faucet, repair the shower, install a new lock on the front door and porch light, and organize their basement with the help from the family. Claire Oatey, the program and development associate for Rebuilding Together Seattle, said Kim was very thankful to be chosen to receive free home repairs. “She isn’t concerned with how her home looks, only that is safe and warm for her kids.”

Kim is a single mother raising 3 kids and works full time in hospital administration. Her son Robert, 17, plays basketball and football at the same high school Kim and her father graduated from. Tyree, 17, is a friend of Robert who Kim took in. Omari, 8, is Kim’s nephew and he was adopted by Kim when he was only 2 days old. 

Kim and her family live in Seattle’s Columbia City neighborhood. Columbia City is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the Northwest in terms of income and ethnicity. The majority of the neighborhood is made up of single-family homes and some low-income apartments. The views of Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains have prompted the building of expensive new homes. Despite rapid gentrification, pockets of poverty still exist. 

Rebuilding Together Seattle is working with Kim and her family to ensure they are living in a safe and healthy home. They endured Seattle’s winter without any heat due to not being able to afford oil for their furnace. Cold air would blow in from a detached window in the living room. Kim said that she hated seeing her boys have to do their homework with blankets wrapped around their shoulders. 

Their kitchen needs extensive repairs. The family depends on a mini-fridge to store food due to their fridge being broken. Only two burners on their oven work. The sink constantly leaks, which makes the family have to empty a bucket of water into the tub regularly. 

Rebuilding Together Seattle is currently working on their work scope for Kim’s home. They hope to replace the detached window, their fridge, the broken stove, and their basement door. They’d also like volunteers to fix a leaking faucet, repair the shower, install a new lock on the front door and porch light, and organize their basement with the help from the family.

Claire Oatey, the program and development associate for Rebuilding Together Seattle, said Kim was very thankful to be chosen to receive free home repairs. “She isn’t concerned with how her home looks, only that is safe and warm for her kids.”

Posted 1 month ago
Tagged: Seattle, Rebuilding Together, Family, Home repairs, Columbia City, Volunteers, poverty, .
Mr. Patterson, 65, is a retired carpenter and Vietnam War veteran living in Alexandria, Va. Due to being exposed to Agent Orange, a chemical made of herbicides used by the military in Vietnam to remove trees and vegetation, Mr. Patterson had to have both of his legs amputated. He now relies on his prosthetic legs to move around. Rebuilding Together Alexandria worked with Mr. Patterson to ensure that his home was safe, healthy, and accessible. Mr. Patterson has spent his entire life in this home. They noticed that his lawn needed landscaping, the energy inefficiency of his home was costing him extra money in energy bills, and that it was difficult for Mr. Patterson to safely navigate his home. The 20 volunteers that dedicated an entire day to renovating Mr. Patterson’s house wanted to give him a home where he could age in place and feel proud. The volunteers made energy efficient upgrades and renovations like cleaning out the coils under the refrigerator, sealing outlets, and weatherizing his windows and doors. While Mr. Patterson can still do many things on his own, he struggled with getting groceries from his car and into his home. Volunteers installed a gate on his porch closest to where Mr. Patterson parks. Now all he has to do is open the back door of his car, open the gate, and set the bags on the porch. Volunteers also installed a new wheel chair accessible ramp on Mr. Patterson’s back porch. Mr. Patterson is elated with how the energy efficient upgrades have lowered his bills. And he is even happier with how much easier he can move around his home. In fact, one of his favorite things to do now is to sit out on his new porches. “I can’t imagine what it’s like to grow up in one single home, fear you won’t be able to remain there, and then receive repairs and renovations so that you can age there safely,” said Ali Feudo, the AmeriCorps Community Outreach Coordinator for Rebuilding Together Alexandria. “But John doesn’t have to imagine. He knows. And that makes me happy.”

Mr. Patterson, 65, is a retired carpenter and Vietnam War veteran living in Alexandria, Va. Due to being exposed to Agent Orange, a chemical made of herbicides used by the military in Vietnam to remove trees and vegetation, Mr. Patterson had to have both of his legs amputated. He now relies on his prosthetic legs to move around.

Rebuilding Together Alexandria worked with Mr. Patterson to ensure that his home was safe, healthy, and accessible. Mr. Patterson has spent his entire life in this home. They noticed that his lawn needed landscaping, the energy inefficiency of his home was costing him extra money in energy bills, and that it was difficult for Mr. Patterson to safely navigate his home.

The 20 volunteers that dedicated an entire day to renovating Mr. Patterson’s house wanted to give him a home where he could age in place and feel proud. The volunteers made energy efficient upgrades and renovations like cleaning out the coils under the refrigerator, sealing outlets, and weatherizing his windows and doors. While Mr. Patterson can still do many things on his own, he struggled with getting groceries from his car and into his home. Volunteers installed a gate on his porch closest to where Mr. Patterson parks. Now all he has to do is open the back door of his car, open the gate, and set the bags on the porch. Volunteers also installed a new wheel chair accessible ramp on Mr. Patterson’s back porch.

Mr. Patterson is elated with how the energy efficient upgrades have lowered his bills. And he is even happier with how much easier he can move around his home. In fact, one of his favorite things to do now is to sit out on his new porches.

“I can’t imagine what it’s like to grow up in one single home, fear you won’t be able to remain there, and then receive repairs and renovations so that you can age there safely,” said Ali Feudo, the AmeriCorps Community Outreach Coordinator for Rebuilding Together Alexandria. “But John doesn’t have to imagine. He knows. And that makes me happy.”

Posted 2 months ago
Tagged: Aging in Place, Veterans, Home Repairs, Rebuilding Together, Alexandria, Virginia, Volunteers, .