PENINSULA Safety and warmth: These are two basic needs that many of our community members have trouble achieving in their own homes due to disabilities, aging, poverty or other reasons. While changing a light bulb, smoke alarm or repairing storm damage might be basic home maintenance for most, for some, it is arduous and goes undone, possibly creating a dangerous living situation. 

Working within their simple motto safe and warm a local chapter of the national non-profit Rebuilding Together is putting construction skills and time toward helping local individuals and families have safer and more comfortable living conditions.  

Affiliates of the nationwide organization, founded in 1988, have rehabilitated more than 100,000 homes and have a network of over 200,000 volunteers. Some of their national initiatives include the Safe at Home program, veterans housing, green housing and rebuilding homes in the Gulf Coast. 

Helping here at home

The local Rebuilding Together affiliate started in 2007. According to the groups president, Carol Nordquist, theyve worked on at least 50 different projects throughout the community and are hoping to do many more.  

From building accessible ramps, fixing stairs and cleaning out gutters, to installing grab bars in peoples bathrooms, yard work and installing new doors and windows, the list of services they can provide is almost endless. 

Sometimes its as simple as taping a carpet down so they dont fall, says Jackie Sheldon, who does PR for the group. As Nordquist puts it, they will do whatever we can to make people safe, dry, warm and healthy in their homes. One of the few things they dont do is roofs and they cant make improvements on rental homes. 

As an affiliate, they do receive some assistance and training from the national organization but the vast majority of funds and support is provided locally, including the 50 some volunteers that work on the projects. 

We cant run without volunteers, says Nordquist, who encourages anyone interested to help out, regardless of construction experience or skills.  While people with these skills are definitely a bonus and needed, people who can provide lunches for workers are just as appreciated.  Theres just so much that people can do, says Sheldon, and it helps our community as a whole. From donating materials such as flowers or sod to cooking skills and time, literally anything people can do or give is appreciated and wanted. 

 

Feeling good about service

From the way Nordquist speaks about her experiences, its clear the work they do is just as beneficial for the people they serve as it is for the volunteers. Its really, really rewarding and I dont mean that in a goody two-shoes kind of way, she says. 

They are always looking for new projects and community members in need and arent currently getting as many requests as they would like. 

We are trying very hard to get the word out, says Nordquist, because I think people dont know that we are here or they dont understand what we do. The organization has a set of guidelines for applicants and focuses on low income, disabled or senior citizens who cannot make home repairs themselves. They also provide help to veterans families, single parents and grandparents raising grandchildren. 

Nordquist worries that some people might not come in because they are afraid of asking for assistance. A lot of people have the idea that we are a charity but we dont look at this as charity, says Nordquist. We just look at this as people who need help.

I think we all just tend to take our lives for granted, she says. People get old and become ill and its really just rewarding to see people be able to get around in their homes. One leaky pipe or broken window at a time, Rebuilding Together is making members of the community safe and warm.

To apply for assistance or to learn more, stop by the Olympic Area Agency on Aging Information and Assistance at 1715-A North Pacific Highway, Long Beach or call Shane Wilson at 642-3634, ext. 10. To volunteer or donate funds contact Shelly Pollock at 244-1599.