RTMC January 17 Newsletter

Train Station Playhouse Beloved by Stone Ridge Students!
 
On December 15, 2016, Rebuilding Together Montgomery County celebrated the installation and dedication of the beautiful Train Station playhouse on the campus of the Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart. The playhouse was placed on the playground in front of the Lower School not only to act as an enriching place for students to learn-through-play, but also to serve as a reminder to the girls of the importance of giving back and serving your community.

The event was one for the books with many distinguished guests and speakers addressing the lower school students. Attendees included RTMC Executive Director, Christina Johnson; Stone Ridge Head of School, Catherine Ronan Karels '86; Somerset Mayor and playhouse donor Jeffrey Slavin; Chief Operating Officer at Sandy Spring Builders, Mimi Kress; and renowned broadcast journalist and celebrated philanthropist, Cokie Boggs Roberts, '60. Captivated students listened as each speaker shared a part of their story and the importance of service to others. The event closed with a wonderful song from several of the fourth grade students and ribbon cutting announcing the official opening of the Train Station Playhouse. We are so grateful for these beautiful partnerships and anticipate many wonderful things to come! 
Community Foundation Partnership Grows Stronger Year After Year
 
The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region has invited Rebuilding Together Montgomery County to submit a proposal for funding from the Sharing Montgomery Fund! The Community Foundation works to ensure equity, access, and opportunity to all residents who live in the Washington Metropolitan Area. Their mission is to strengthen the Washington Metropolitan region by encouraging and supporting effective giving and by providing leadership on critical issues facing our community.

The Sharing Montgomery Fund focuses on 3 major areas; safety net programming, education, and workforce development. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to submit a request for funding to the Community Foundation again this year. Thanks to all of our supporters for making our work possible! Stay tuned for updates!
Mark Your Calendars for National Rebuilding Day 2017!
 
With the close of 2016, Rebuilding Together Montgomery County is looking to the future and preparing to serve even more homeowners in 2017! Last year's National Rebuilding Day was a success with nearly 20 partner organizations coming out to provide home modifications and repairs to low-income homeowners throughout Montgomery County, enabling them to live in safer and healthier homes.  In 2017, we hope to recruit even more volunteers to help with this life-changing event. National Rebuilding Day 2017 will take place on Saturday, April 29th and Sunday, April 30. RTMC invites you to join us on this weekend as we repair homes, rebuild hope, and revitalize entire communities! 

Please complete the registration form and commit your time and skills to repairing a home, rebuilding a life, and restoring hope for a family in need.

For questions, contact Aaron Gonzales, Director of Development, via email at [email protected]. 
Join us in Making Community Revitalization a Priority
 
Rebuilding Together Montgomery County has been selected to participate in the Rebuilding Together national office's collective action training on our affiliate-wide community revitalization partnership model. Rebuilding Together continues to position itself as a leading community revitalization partner focused on addressing the safe and healthy housing needs of the communities we serve. With this training our affiliate will be able to implement a stronger and more robust approach to building and sustaining a safe, healthy, and thriving community. Stay tuned for updates as we go through this exciting process!
RTMC Mourns the Loss of Beloved Client, Partner, and Leader

Our beloved client 
It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of a beloved member of RTMC's extended family, Alexis Sorensen. We first met Alexis in 2015 when her mother, Kim, reached out to RTMC for help removing mold that had accumulated in her home. Alexis was in the hospital at the time and the presence of mold in the home threatened her ability to battle leukemia. We assisted the Sorensen family with critical repairs to their home, including mold remediation and honored them at our 25th Anniversary Breakfast. 

Getting to know this family has truly been a pleasure. Alexis was an incredibly kind young lady who was loved and cherished by many and will be forever missed. We extend our sincere condolences to the Sorensen family and wish them all the strength in the world as they endure this difficult time.   

Our beloved partner

We are sad to share that Jack Trunnell, a steadfast supporter of RTMC's work, recently passed  away. CFO of  Trunnell Electric, he helped secure electric repair needs for low-income homeowners throughout the county. Jack was a man of faith, a family man, and a great friend. He is survived by his wive Vickie, and sons; Matt, Phil, Adam, Luke, and Mason. He also leaves behind his mother, Jean Trunnell, his four brothers, seven grandsons, and one granddaughter. He was a beloved husband, grandfather, father, brother, and son. 

Our beloved leader

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Patty Johnson, founding President & CEO
 of Rebuilding Together, passed away unexpectedly this weekend due to complications from the  flu. Patty impacted the lives of countless low-income homeowners and was integral to the success of Rebuilding Together Montgomery County. She was instrumental in helping co-founders Jay Treadwell and Gordon Hawk incorporate the Montgomery County affiliate into the Rebuilding Together network and for that, we are forever grateful. Her passing is a tremendous loss for the Rebuilding Together community, and we will miss her dearly. We extend our sincere condolences to Patty's family, and to those of you who knew and worked with Patty. RTMC will celebrate and uphold her legacy of fearless female leadership and hope that those who came in contact with her will do the same. 

Her funeral will be held Tuesday, January 24th at 2:00 pm at the Washington National Cathedral - 301 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016, (202) 537-6200, the Bishop of Washington presiding. 

All of these people believed in community and service. We encourage you to connect with Rebuilding Together in a meaningful and purposeful way. Contact us for more information.
Calling All Female Change-Agents
Rebuilding Together Seattle She Builds Volunteer
Over the last year, Rebuilding Together has invested a significant amount of resources to further the engagement of women in and with our volunteer efforts across the country. Here at RTMC, we've adopted a new program called "She Builds."

"She Builds" is a national movement across Rebuilding Together affiliates that aims to bring together female leadership from across our networks to change neighborhoods into thriving places to live and grow. As we all know, the foundation of every neighborhood is a home. "She Builds" empowers women to address issues plaguing their neighbors' homes while providing homeowners the tools and education necessary to maintain their homes for years to come.

RTMC is currently in the process of putting together an inaugural women-led committee in preparation for the "She Builds" event we are hosting in April 2017. 

You are invited to participate in this bold, women-led movement!

Please complete the registration form and commit your time and skills to repairing a home, rebuilding a life, and restoring hope for a family in need.

For questions, contact Melissa Erickson, Development and Communications Manager, via email at [email protected].
Rebuilding Together Montgomery County|  | 301-947-9400 |  www.rebuildingtogethermc.org