“…we are grateful to the hundreds of Rebuilding Together Boston volunteers and many national and local employers who are helping to revitalize homes and non-profit facilities in several of our neighborhoods” -Mayor Thomas M. Menino, City of Boston
 
Six New England Patriot’s Alumni -- Paul Francisco, Roland James, Ilia Jarostchuck, Bill Matthews, Robert Perryman and Jermaine Wiggins -- joined nearly 600 volunteers at this year’s National Rebuilding Day. The nine projects located in South Boston, West Roxbury, Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan and Roxbury included four homes, a school playground, two churches including a related school, a boys and girls club and an urban retail district.

Two of the projects were a special collaboration with the City of Boston’s Department of Neighborhood Services which helped to revitalize the Mattahunt School playground in Mattapan and the Dudley Square retail district in Roxbury. Our homeowners included a Vietnam veteran, a Korean war veteran and several elderly homeowners and their families.

The total value of work on National Rebuilding Day is estimated at over $200,000 including over $40,000 in donated labor, supplies, equipment and other project-related contributions. Renovations included home modifications for the elderly; energy-efficient upgrades; installation of a new roof and gutters; exterior and interior painting; waterproofing and patching; installation of new doors, windows and lighting; building a new facility entrance; and, landscaping, among other NRD work completed.

Across the country on April 30th, Rebuilding Together Boston along with 200 fellow affiliates and 70,000 volunteers rehabilitated and improved the houses of low-income homeowners and non-profit facilities at no cost to our recipients.

Here’s who we helped on National Rebuilding Day:

Boys & Girls Club in South Boston
An essential part of the community for seventy years, the club serves 1,000 members and hundreds more youth each year through programs and outreach.  Fifty-five percent of those served come from single parent households and many are low-income. RTB’s work will improve the Club’s interior and exterior environment through patching and painting of walls and corridors; replacing lighting; waterproofing part of the building’s exterior where current leaks exist; and, outdoor landscaping and planting, among other activities. 

Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church and School in Jamaica Plain
Founded in 1988 by Drs. Ray and Gloria Hammond, the Church has collaborated with others on 29 services and programs which reach more than 4,000 people.  Programs include Generation Excel which supports more than 600 youth at high risk and 300 families in Boston. The Rev. Hammond and church helped to found the City’s Ten Point Coalition serving more than 3,000 court-involved youth annually. Work will take place at both the school and church to include: patching and painting rooms and corridors; removing old carpeting; replacing doors, ceiling tile and lighting; and landscaping and planting, among other activities.

David in Mattapan
David, age 83, has lived in his home for thirty years. He is a Korean War veteran having served for three years during the war and then in the Army Reserves. His wife, Elva, passed away in 2010. Their daughter, Veronica, lives part-time in this single family home in order to provide the needed care for her father. She recently had major surgery, lost her job and is now working part-time until she finds a new full-time position. RTB’s work will ensure that any needed home modifications are done to increase accessibility and safety for the elderly homeowner. In addition, we will address energy efficiency needs and make much-needed upgrades to the home.

Ernestine in Mattapan
Ernestine is a 74 year old widow and mother of four living on a limited income. She has lived in her home for thirty years. Her home needs roof and gutter replacement, exterior painting, home modifications for the elderly, and window repair or replacement, among other repair work. RTB’s interior and exterior improvements will enable Ernestine to live in safety, security and warmth in her home.

First Parish Church in Dorchester
Founded in 1690, the church is the oldest parish in Boston and one of the oldest in the nation. It held the first recorded Town Meeting in 1663 and was involved in the founding of the first publicly-funded public school as well as Harvard College. The building, itself, was re-built in 1896 after a fire in its original structure and is now affiliated with the Unitarian-Universalist Association. It not only provides worship but also collaborates with educators, health care providers, community groups and others to address issues of hunger, poverty, violence and racism and the effect of poverty. RTB will help to make needed exterior and interior repairs so that the Church can begin
a major capital campaign for its renewal. RTB’s work will include improving access for all parishioners and addressing years of deferred maintenance.

Prince (Vietnam Veteran) and Joyce in Dorchester
Prince and Joyce are an elderly couple who have lived in their home for 35 years. They live on a fixed income. Several months ago, Prince, who is veteran of the Vietnam War, suffered a stroke and has become disabled. He is currently in a VA Hospital but will be coming home as soon as RTB makes the needed home repairs from deferred maintenance and new home modifications so that Prince can move around in his wheelchair.

Alma in West Roxbury
Alma is an elderly single woman who has lived in her home for seventy-five years. She served as the sole caregiver for almost two years for her mother who recently passed away. Alma, herself, has developed medical issues as a result of fractures and other concerns. She lives on a limited income and has not been able to make the needed home repairs. Interior and exterior work will enable Alma to live in her home in safety, security and comfort.

A special collaboration with Boston’s Department of Neighborhood Services and Dudley Square Main Streets, Roxbury
To celebrate RTB’s 20th Anniversary, the organization will be working with the City of Boston and area retailers to spruce up the Dudley Square retail district. Volunteers will paint light poles, remove debris, put in planters, mulch tree pits and other area beautification activities.

A special collaboration with Boston’s Department of Neighborhood Services
In collaboration with “Boston Shines,” Rebuilding Together Boston volunteers will spruce up the Mattahunt School Playground in Mattapan. Work will include debris removal, mulching and planting and the restoration of a mural on the school’s wall.

Thank you to our National Rebuilding Day sponsors and supporters. Without you we could not have made a difference in the lives of our homeowner recipients or the thousands of people served by the non-profits we helped: