Many people are familiar with the efforts of Habitat for Humanity, working in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing. But you may not be as familiar with Rebuilding Together Hartford.
RTH’s purpose is to help low-income homeowners through home renovation and repair, which results in warmth, safety, and independence, while building better neighborhoods in Hartford. Once a year, on the last Saturday in April, they organize a major Rebuilding Day, which focuses activities on a number of homes for one day.
When I lived in Virginia, I participated in “Christmas in April,” which has become Rebuilding Together. It was a rewarding experience and I would strongly encourage you to participate in the upcoming opportunity in Hartford. I spent the day working with about 100 of my grad student colleagues revitalizing 5 homes in Charlottesville. I was assigned to one house where I painted, landscaped, and removed debris. Others built fences, installed new windows, and replaced siding. The elderly homeowner was so grateful because they weren’t physically able to do the work themselves. It was a great sense of accomplishment to know that in just one day we all helped someone regain their pride in homeownership.
This year, on Saturday, April 26th, twenty five homeowners in the Blue Hills neighborhood of Hartford will have their homes revitalized. The homeowners are 20 elderly individuals and 5 multi-generational families. More than 600 volunteers and 75 community partners will work together to make this event happen. Will you be part of it?
If you’d like to learn more about Rebuilding Together and the opportunity to volunteer on Saturday, April 26th, just click here. And remember, you don’t need to be a skilled volunteer, you just have to be a cheerful volunteer! 🙂 I hope to see you there!