Rebuilding Together

A Message from John L. Fiegel: Midwest Natural Disasters

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:34:28 -0400

Dear Rebuilding Together Supporters,

On behalf of the Rebuilding Together Network, I would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to our families, friends, and neighbors experiencing devastating losses due to the tornadoes in Oklahoma and the recent and continued severe storms and flooding in the Midwest.

Rebuilding Together has been in communication with affiliate leaders from affected areas and assessing needs and capacity. We are also communicating with agencies such as NVOAD (National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster), which is coordinating an effective and efficient response as part of the larger disaster recovery community.

Rebuilding Together recognizes the critical need to assist those whose homes have been damaged or destroyed by natural disasters. As a national nonprofit working to provide safe and healthy housing for low-income homeowners, we know all too well that they are among the most vulnerable in times of disaster and have the most limited resources when it comes time to rebuild.

To be clear, Rebuilding Together is not a first responder organization. There are many other dedicated and hardworking organizations who are experts in addressing the immediate and short term needs of communities that have found themselves in harm’s way. We have joined with these organizations as a member of NVOAD to represent and address the long-term recovery needs faced by our homeowners and the communities where they live.

We will need your immediate and continuing support. We are accepting donations for our Disaster Recovery fund in anticipation of massive and ongoing rebuilding needs in Oklahoma. Community starts at home; please help us help others as they work to rebuild.

We also want to thank our many dedicated corporate and community partners, whose generosity supports our ability to serve all of our homeowners.

Please visit www.rebuildingtogether.org/disaster to learn more about how you can help.

Sincerely yours,

John L. Fiegel

Interim president & CEO

Rebuilding Together

Rebuilding Together Springfield galvanized 1,000 volunteers and...

Wed, 15 May 2013 14:51:00 -0400

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.

On May 10th, Rebuilding Together New York City and Sears...

Wed, 08 May 2013 14:14:00 -0400

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.

Rebuilding Together Alexandria helped Derrick and his family...

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:29:00 -0400

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.”

This is a guest post by Stephanie Carvajal, AmeriCorps Member,...

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:58:00 -0400

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.

Tomorrow at 7:30 a.m., Lifetime’s Designing Spaces will...

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:24:00 -0400

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.

Charity Navigator has awarded Rebuilding Together with a 4-star...

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:46:29 -0400

Charity Navigator has awarded Rebuilding Together with a 4-star rating for the 9^th 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.

Mary Anne, 50, is a mother of two. She is also the proud...

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:59:00 -0400

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.”

In honor of Women’s History Month, we spoke to a few of...

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:49:00 -0400

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

Kim is a single mother raising 3 kids and works full time in...

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:39:29 -0400

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.”

Mr. Patterson, 65, is a retired carpenter and Vietnam War...

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:52:00 -0400

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 Lawrence, 71, moved back to his childhood home in Tulsa in...

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 12:31:35 -0500

Mr Lawrence, 71, moved back to his childhood home in Tulsa in 1999 after his wife passed away.

His childhood memories are as fresh as ever. “I remember rolling around on this very floor as a little boy. We used to catch fireflies in the frontyard.”

Mr. Lawrence is the father of six kids and “too many grandchildren and great grandchildren to count.” He jokes saying, “I think there are 15,000.”

Rebuilding Together Tulsa renovated Mr. Lawrence’s home to ensure that he can age in place in a safe and healthy home. Volunteers installed air sealing, attic insulation, two new doors with deadbolts, handrails, and new siding. They also replaced the home’s drywall and repaired his plumbing. Mr. Lawrence’s home is now more energy efficient, weatherproof and accessible.

As part of their National Rebuilding Month celebration on April 20, Rebuilding Together Tulsa will send another team of volunteers to paint the outside of Mr. Lawrence’s home and clean up his yard. Mr. Lawrence’s home is just one of 16 projects happening that day for Rebuilding Together Tulsa. His neighborhood in particular is in great need of critical home repairs and community revitalization.

Mr. Lawrence had this to say about his Rebuilding Together experience, “I love these guys volunteering. They are good people. You can see the light shining in them when they walk through the door.”

Nick, Dale, and Dave are dedicated and passionate volunteers for...

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:40:29 -0500

Nick, Dale, and Dave are dedicated and passionate volunteers for Rebuilding Together South Sound. Rachel Lehr, the AmeriCorps year round coordinator for Rebuilding Together South Sound, described them as their “go to guys for projects.”

These retired electricians have been volunteering their time and skills for 18 months. And in that year and a half, they’ve completed 15 projects. In fact, Rachel finds it hard to keep up with their demand of work. Nick, Dale, and Dave would love it if they could complete a project every week.

“We completely trust them,” said Rachel. “If we need to widen doorways or fix steps, they can totally do it. They know homes and understand their structure.”

The math of their impact doesn’t lie. This trio has donated nearly $9,000 of market value between their time and skills through the projects they’ve completed themselves. That dollar amount rises to $54,000 if you count the projects they helped out with.

“It’s not something they have to do - they want to,” Rachel explained. “They think it’s important to help people. They like Rebuilding Together because they get to meet the people they’re helping.”

What makes you give back to your community? Here’s what...

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 12:15:00 -0500

What makes you give back to your community? Here’s what some of our volunteers had to say about working with Rebuilding Together.

“The people are so appreciative. An old couple was almost in tears because someone helped and cared that much. Another woman kept watching and interacting with everyone. She saw her house transform in front of her eyes.” - Jim Kahle

“We have neighbors who need help and we can help them.” - Jerry Liu

“It takes a special mindset to see the value of doing something for the benefit of others.” - Earl Sires

“I think we all owe our community something. We live here, earn a living here, raise our families here. We all owe dues to our community.” - Jerry Liu

“God gave me the ability to put two feet on the floor, to swing a hammer, and people like Janelle can’t do that. Just because she can’t do it herself, doesn’t mean she can’t have it or doesn’t deserve it.” - John Gaspari

AmeriCorps Member Helps Bring Thanksgiving Back Home Rachel...

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:34:00 -0500

AmeriCorps Member Helps Bring Thanksgiving Back Home

Rachel Lehr, AmeriCorps Year Round Coordinator for Rebuilding Together South Sound, shared with us her Rebuilding Together experience

Ms. Hill is an elderly woman who lives alone in Tacoma. She has had cancer twice and has to use a walker to get around because the chemo has left her weak. She applied to Rebuilding Together South Sound because the faucets in her kitchen and bathroom were dripping constantly, the electrical system didn’t work in part of her home, and the baseboard heaters weren’t working. Her application was a little more serious than some applications that we get, but her descriptions were nowhere close to what we had anticipated.

Water ran continually, even when the sink handles were shut off, because the pipes used in Ms. Hill’s home were corroded. She had been collecting the free-flowing water in jars so it wasn’t just running down the drain. Her water bill was $600 per month. In addition, the electrical outlets in four of the six rooms in the home weren’t working and Ms. Hill was using extension cords to get power to her kitchen and bedroom. Finally, the baseboard heaters in those same rooms wouldn’t work. Ms. Hill resorted to attempting to heat her home with her oven. In the winter, her electric bill could get as high as $500 per month. After our initial home visit, I was really excited and determined to help Ms. Hill.

The Rebuilding Together South Sound volunteers couldn’t have been better! A volunteer plumber replaced the pipes and the faucets for the kitchen and bathroom sinks so they would actually shut off and be corrosion free. He checked the entire bathroom to make sure nothing would cause her any problems in the future. A volunteer contractor put in a grab bar to ensure Ms. Hill could access her restroom without assistance. An electrician volunteer replaced all 30 broken outlets and the four baseboard heaters so Ms. Hill could actually live in her whole home. And thanks to a donation from Lowe’s, materials and new appliances were provided allowed this project to happen.

I had the opportunity to speak with Ms. Hill shortly after all the repairs were complete. For the first time in over ten years she had guests over to her home for Thanksgiving. Ms. Hill is proud of her home again. She knows she can stay in her home independently, for a longer time, and most importantly with more dignity! Her doctor was also happy because the repairs will help her during the difficult cancer recovery process.

What made me the most excited, or happy, or stunned (I’m still not really sure which) was the amount of money she is now saving every month. Her water bill dropped from $600 to $200 per month and she became eligible for the water company’s senior reduced rate, an additional $100 a month in savings. Her electric bill is a similar story - what started as a $500 bill will go down because she is heating her home efficiently and will be reduced by 30% each month. In addition to restoring a safe and healthy home, I was able to help save Ms. Hill almost $8,000 a year in utility costs!

Ms. Hill now has more freedom in her home and in her finances. I am just astounded that we can impact someone’s life so dramatically. I am grateful to have been a part of the process. I am grateful to serve.

On February 1st, Rebuilding Together will celebrate our 18th...

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:38:08 -0500

On February 1st, Rebuilding Together will celebrate our 18th Annual Kickoff to Rebuild, a Super Bowl sanctioned charity event. NFL stars Garrett Hartley and Robert Royal will join our volunteers as we renovate the homes of low-income homeowners in New Orleans. Below are just some of the stories of the people we are helping.

The Moores

Mr. and Mrs. Moore are childhood sweethearts who have been married for nearly 35 years. Mr. Moore served in the Navy for two years shortly after graduating from high school. The Moores’ eldest son and daughter share their father’s passion for service and joined the Air Force. Their daughter assisted her fellow New Orleanians during and after Hurricane Isaac.

“I’ve been around the world, and no matter where you go, there ain’t no place quite like New Orleans,” said Mr. Moore. The Moores plan on watching the Super Bowl together in their newly renovated home.

Anthony Hudson and Lauren Pope

Anthony Hudson joined the military after graduating high school and served one term as an Ammunition Specialist. While being stationed in Iraq, he watched as Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans. Ever since being honorably discharged, he has dedicated himself to improving the quality of life for his family and others around him.

Anthony and Lauren are engaged and have three children together. The renovations they’re receiving will make their house a safe and healthy home for their kids to grow up in.

Lois Paige

Lois Paige has lived in New Orleans for over 90 years. This retired elementary school teacher, wife, and mother has been a strong contributor within her community. Her proudest moment came when her daughter graduated from Tulane University’s Newcomb College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.

Due to arthritis and other health issues, it is difficult for Ms. Paige to move around her house. Ms. Paige receives excellent care from her daughter and a sense of security from living next door to her grandson. However, the critical home repairs she will receive will greatly better her quality of life.

Need some inspiration? Here’s a look at some of our...

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:43:03 -0500

Need some inspiration? Here’s a look at some of our favorite quotes from the homeowners we’ve helped.

“I thank Rebuilding Together every day of my life. I love all those volunteers. I appreciate them and my heart goes out to them wherever they may be.” - Andrea Spencer.

“I love how family oriented Rebuilding Together is…I almost lost my home. I feel like I need to give back.” - Felicia Byrd.

“My experience with all of you is much better than winning the lottery! Money is great, but it pales in comparison to the kindness shown to me. Money runs out, but I will be to remember what you did for me well into my old age” - Janelle Weikum.

“I am not a crier but looking at my house and knowing what those men did for me, tugs at my heart and brings tears to my eyes.” - A homeowner helped by Rebuilding Together Central Ohio.

“It’s a God send, I am so grateful for the help. I can just cry, knowing that there are people who want to help make my home better.” - Ms. Purnell.

“What a Special Gift” When Mary first contacted Rebuilding...

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 15:33:00 -0500

“What a Special Gift”

When Mary first contacted Rebuilding Together Aurora to see about getting her broken chairlift replaced, she had almost given hope of being able to leave her home. A ramp was out of the question for her from a financial standpoint, and due to the weakening of the muscles in her neck from her disability, being carried outside was painful and traumatic for her. It was October of 2012, and she hadn’t been outside of her house more than once in ten months.

Rebuilding Together Aurora was able to address her need for a new lift through the Safe at Home Program, funded by the City of Aurora’s Community Development Block Grant. Mary was amazed to hear that she would be able to use her lift before Christmas, and also a little bit skeptical; however, just about two months later she was able to roll out her back door and into the wider world. “The lift is just wonderful,” Mary says, glowing with excitement, “because I can scoot right out the door, no jostling!” Mary says while she wasn’t exactly lonely during her year in her house, having the company of her dogs and caregiver, she did get “cabin fever.” She would think of how nice it would be to get out and just run simple errands, to be able to see different things and make contact with a variety of people.

When asked where she planned on going to enjoy her regained freedom, Mary said, “I want to go to Ice Cream Drive,” where a popular shopping center is located. “So many of the stores that I like, all in one place.” Mary’s story reminds those of us who do not have mobility impairments of the aspects of life that we take for granted. Mary was overjoyed to have her lift ready in time for Christmas, as she’d been told it would be. “What a special gift! It would really be my pleasure to help anyone realize how wonderful this program is and how it can impact people’s lives.”

Answers to our email quiz!

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 11:42:11 -0500

1. How many working households spend more than half of its income on housing costs?

A) 50%

B) 45%

C) 33%

D) 25%

2. In a 65+ household, how much of their income goes towards housing?

A) 50%

B) 35%

C) 25%

D) 20%

3. How many older adults didn’t renovate their homes for accessibility because they couldn’t afford to?

A) 33%

B) 25%

C) 20%

D) 10%

4. Between 2008 and 2010, how many states have seen affordable housing steadily decline for working households?

A) 12

B) 20

C) 24

D) 30

Michael Verla wins Rebuilding Together’s AmeriCorps Member...

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 11:49:00 -0500

Michael Verla wins Rebuilding Together’s AmeriCorps Member of the Year Award

Michael Verla, 23, recently won Rebuilding Together’s AmeriCorps Member of the Year Award.

Originally from a small town in Massachusetts, Michael studied community development at the University of Vermont. Michael’s passion for helping others led him to look for service opportunities through the AmeriCorps Program. “I found Rebuilding Together Philadelphia through an AmeriCorps position. It seemed like it would be a good fit,” Michael said. “I could serve in communities and with a nonprofit that’s having an impact and doing its own brand of community development.”

Michael’s service included about a dozen major projects while being an AmeriCorps member at Rebuilding Together Philadelphia. His first project was a Maxwell House Drops of Good community center renovation. Another one of his service projects was Building a Healthy Neighborhood, one of Rebuilding Together’s largest annual events.

Michael was in charge of coordinating the energy efficient repairs and modifications. He often found himself doing volunteer management and community outreach. “It was formative in a lot of ways,” Michael said looking back at his experience. He managed a wide variety of volunteers from local neighborhoods, corporations and universities. Michael’s favorite part of his service was helping the homeowners though. “I’d engage with homeowners and go to community meetings. I loved being the liason between the residents and organization.” He’d be the homeowners’ point person when it came to questions concerning their new energy efficient upgrades or home repair.

His favorite project was a block build that took place over two weekends. A team of Rebuilding Together Philadelphia volunteers renovated an entire block in West Philadelphia. Michael quickly developed a rapport with the homeowners. He began meeting with them several months before the renovations took place. “I had a really strong connection with the homeowners. There was a lot of good energy.”

A woman from that West Philadelphia project named Alice especially stood out to Michael. He considered her a Block Captain of sorts. Alice was more than happy to get the word out about the block build, work alongside the volunteers, and even recruit her son to volunteer for the project as well.

As an AmeriCorps member, Michael’s favorite experiences came from being surrounded by his fellow AmeriCorps members. Rebuilding Together AmeriCorps members are placed all over the country, but they come together for their orientation, Rebuilding Together’s National Conference, and the AmeriCorps’ Martin Luther King Jr. service week. “It got everybody together. We picked each other’s brains, which we couldn’t do in our day to day tasks. We shared stories. It was a powerful experience.”

And for how he feels about being the Rebuilding Together’s AmeriCorps member of the year? “It was exciting, and I definitely feel honored. It’s humbling because there are so many others doing such great work.”

To find out more about Rebuilding Together’s AmeriCorps program, visit this link: rebuildingtogether.org/capacitycorps