This winter Rebuilding Together Seattle has carried forth like the postal service, with
neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night keeping us from providing service to our neighbors in need. On our way to serving 200 households in 2016, two major projects this winter stand out as examples of RTS's trajectory forward for 2017.
In late October,
She Builds brought together women to serve four women in Tukwila and raise the issue of gender and poverty. The project incorporated a number of
partners and demonstrated how layered funding will allow us to have a deeper, concentrated impact in our communities.
Wrapping up the year, our incredible Lowe's Heroes volunteers rallied from around the region to work on three homes in Renton. Like She Builds, the projects helped us focus on a neighborhood where families are often at risk of displacement or injury due to housing conditions.
While everything we do puts safe and healthy housing at the center of our mission, we hope you will see that our work touches so many other challenges. From
senior isolation to
multi-generational households, from education to healthcare, and whether you're a
young professional taking action for a cause or a
longtime volunteer deepening your engagement with us - whatever aspect of our work resonates with you the most, we hope you know just how much we and our communities value and need you!
Thank you for an amazing year! We want to see and hear from you even more in 2017, so if you did not find time to contribute to our
Annual Appeal, or you want to volunteer with us on
Spring Rebuilding Day, it's not too late to deliver your own show of support.
All our best from the RTS family to yours,
Caleb Marshall
Executive Director, Rebuilding Together Seattle
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You can help give Ellen and Roger a safe home
Ellen, 74, and her partner Roger, 75, have lived in their 1948 home for over 40 years.
Ellen and Roger have been through so much together: they have both had bypass surgery, Roger is currently recovering from a stroke, and Ellen had part of her lung removed after a battle with lung cancer.
Given their health challenges and limited income, Roger and Ellen struggle to keep up with the maintenance needed at their home. The stairs leading up to their home have become unstable, and there is no walkway through the front yard, making it dangerous for them to come and go from their home.
The interior of their home is completely devoid of proper flooring and drywall.
Rebuilding Together Seattle hopes to provide Roger and Ellen with the home repairs they need to live safely in the home they love, but we can't do it without your support.
Join us to make Ellen and Roger's home a safe and healthy place to live: consider
donating
or
signing up to volunteer
with Rebuilding Together Seattle today!
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Spread the love with Hearts Rebuilding Homes (last chance!) 
Our annual Hearts Rebuilding Homes giving campaign is in full swing! Thanks to your support, we are on our way to meeting our goal of raising $5,000.
We are expanding our grab bar program to include ramps and railings, and these funds can kick start that: $5,000 can install 15 ramps or railings for seniors in need, to allow them to come and go safely from home and engage in their community.
If you donate to Rebuilding Together Seattle during the month of February, RTS will send a customized valentine with a
Seattle Chocolate truffle
to your loved one(s)! We encourage you to make a donation by
Friday, February 10th
to ensure that your valentine receives their gift in time for Valentine's Day. We hope you'll join us in spreading the love this Valentine's Day by spreading the word about the need for safe and affordable housing in Seattle!
We encourage you to send a valentine to someone who hasn't yet been introduced to RTS, to invite them to join you in this important work of improving our communities.
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Your 2016 impact: Thank you!
Thanks to your support,
RTS volunteers have restored a record-breaking 200 homes in 2016
!
Check out the stories of some of the families you've helped this past year.
Albert and his grandson,
Che Shawn
This past November, volunteers from Ambrose Construction, a local residential construction company, spent three days repairing the home of Albert in the Central District. Albert is 62 and cares for his 12-year-old grandson, Che Shawn. Although Albert works part time, his wages are not enough for him to cover the cost of the critical repairs needed at his home, including major gutter damage, dangerous electrical hazards, and a frequently flooding basement.
The Ambrose Construction team raised over $4,500 from their clients and supporters to help fund the cost of project materials at Albert's home. Albert was thankful and expressed, "I'll be able to stain in my home longer because of the help you provided me. Everyone was so cordial, entertaining, and helpful to me." Thank you to the Ambrose Construction volunteers! If you would like to help homeowners like Albert, email Mike Lahoda at
mlahoda@rtseattle.org to find out about volunteer opportunities through our Safe at Home Program.
Juliana and her three kids
Juliana is 28 years old and a single mother of three. After moving to Seattle with her family to leave a dangerous neighborhood in California, Juliana struggled to find an affordable housing option in the new city. After more than a year of searching, Juliana was able to find a home in Burien that she could afford, though was in need of significant repair. As part of Rebuilding Together Seattle's Spring Rebuilding Day this past year, volunteers from Greenpoint Technologies transformed Juliana's home and life. Over 60 volunteers came to Juliana's last April to repair broken windows, paint the exterior, remove carpeting, and so much more.
As a speaker at our annual Beer & Wine Tasting, Juliana shared the following:
"The most important thing to me is that my kids are safe, happy, and healthy. You have given me the boost that I needed to provide a secure and stable home for my family. Thank you."
To learn how you can participate in this year's Spring Rebuilding Day to help change the lives of people like Juliana, email Caleb Marshall at
cmarshall@rtseattle.org.
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Young Professionals Society raises money for our neighbors in need
On Saturday, January 21st, supporters of the RTS Young Professionals Society (YPS) gathered at FLUTTER Studios for our 4th Annual Sip & Support. Event attendees raised $9,300 toward YPS volunteer projects to benefit homeowners in need! Guests also enjoyed a silent auction, fun raffles, networking, and beer and wine. A huge thank you to our event sponsor,
PMI
, for making this event possible.
Learn more about Sip & Support and the Young Professionals Society
here or by contacting Jenny Whelan at jwhelan@rtseattle.org.
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Volunteer Spotlight: Mike Bailey
RTS is excited to welcome Mike Bailey to our Safe at Home volunteer team! Mike is a skilled carpenter that's using his expertise to keep our neighbors safe in their homes.
How did you find out about Rebuilding Together Seattle?
I started volunteering with the ASCE team during Spring Rebuilding Day 12 years ago, and have worked with the group almost ever year since. Meanwhile, I heard about the Safe at Home program, and since I've also enjoyed doing occasional carpentry for other nonprofits, I decided to make this part of my life plan when I retired.
What motivates you to volunteer?
I like working as a carpenter: it's a hands-on thing that involves a sense of purpose and attention to details. It's got mental stimulation combined with a little physical activity and a good vibe from helping others out. Doing these kind of projects enables me to continuously relive the best parts of shop class.
Anything else you'd like to share with our community?
I appreciate being part of this group that can provide the infrastructure that benefits the lives in our community so positively. The combined efforts of the staff is great because it enables volunteers like me to fill a niche I love (with a hammer and saw).
Interested in volunteering with Rebuilding Together Seattle? Contact Mike Lahoda at
mlahoda@rtseattle.org
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Countdown to Spring Rebuilding Day
Rebuilding Together Seattle's
27th Annual Spring Rebuilding Day
is
less than three months away!
On
Saturday, April 29th
, volunteers will restore 25
homes and nonprofit facilities in partnership with local companies and organizations and roughly 700 volunteers. RTS is currently looking for skilled volunteers who can lend their home repair skills to volunteer teams, and companies who are willing to provide
in-kind donations
of skilled labor, project materials, equipment rentals, or food for volunteers! If you or your company would like to get involved with Rebuilding Together Seattle for this exciting community impact event, please contact Caleb Marshall at cmarshall@rtseattle.org.
Learn more about Spring Rebuilding Day and our other home repair programs on our website.
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Save the Date for the Breakfast!
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Upcoming Events
| Navigant Rebuilding Day |
April 8th |
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27th Annual Spring Rebuilding Day
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April 29th |
| 4th Annual Safe and Healthy Homes Breakfast |
May 10th |
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Thank You to Our Fall & Winter Sponsors!
Meredith Corporation
BECU
Vulcan, Inc.
Turner Construction
Enviromech
Exxel Pacific
Windermere Eastlake
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
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About Rebuilding Together Seattle
Together we transform the lives of low income homeowners by improving the safety and health of their homes and revitalizing our communities. Our vision is a safe and healthy home for every person.
Rebuilding Together Seattle
500 Aurora Ave N #305 | Seattle, WA 98109
206-682-1231 | www.rtseattle.org | info@rtseattle.org
   
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