... Last, but certainly not least, we must give a big thanks to the 12 dedicated board of directors members. They are the wheels that keep our organization running year in and out. They are several of the hardest working board members in the entire Rebuilding Together national network.
Mark Anderson
James Angelotti
Bill Beck
Dave Bellis
Suely Cabral
Liz Coronado
Job Delgado
Lucy Fonseca
Bill Perry
Rod Randall
Jeff Ruge
Patrick Rogers
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
January 05, 2011
January 04, 2011
On the eleventh day...
...eleven of our longest-standing volunteer leaders:
Ken Holland
David McChristian
Norm Ellsworth
Ben Stammis
Jim McHale
Thatch Irwin
Mark Camp
Mike Doll
Paul Veach
Joe Wehr
Frank Martin
These guys make it happen. They are the faces of Rebuilding Together's mission. They bring the skill, the know-how, and the tireless dedication to make every project successful. Thank you for all you've done for our organization over the years. We can't do it without you!
Ken Holland
David McChristian
Norm Ellsworth
Ben Stammis
Jim McHale
Thatch Irwin
Mark Camp
Mike Doll
Paul Veach
Joe Wehr
Frank Martin
These guys make it happen. They are the faces of Rebuilding Together's mission. They bring the skill, the know-how, and the tireless dedication to make every project successful. Thank you for all you've done for our organization over the years. We can't do it without you!
January 03, 2011
On the tenth day...
...We are are proud to highlight ten new groups that partnered with us for the 2010 April Rebuilding Event
Evening Lions Club
Community 4:12
Orchard Valley
Geneva United Methodist Church
Fox Valley Presbyterian
New World Restorations
Monarch Landing
Grainger
Sikich
American Society for Interior Designers
Thank you to all our sponsors and partner groups, and welcome to the family!
Evening Lions Club
Community 4:12
Orchard Valley
Geneva United Methodist Church
Fox Valley Presbyterian
New World Restorations
Monarch Landing
Grainger
Sikich
American Society for Interior Designers
Thank you to all our sponsors and partner groups, and welcome to the family!
January 02, 2011
On the ninth day...
...Although there are definitely more, here are nine ways in which the home rehab work RTA provides impacts the lives of homeowners, either directly or by preserving homeownership:
* The repairs provide immediate financial stability by reducing the direct cost of home maintenance, like energy bills.
* The repairs provide an increasing a sense of safety by reducing or eliminating hazardous conditions, from electrical, plumbing, heating, or structural.
* The repairs can increase a sense of independence by providing modifications that allow individuals with disabilities or mobility issues to access their whole home.
* Home owners do not move as frequently as renters, providing more neighborhood stability. In turn, this stability helps reduce crime and supports neighborhood upkeep.
* Children of home owners do better in school, stay in school longer, are more likely to participate in organized activities and spend less time in front of the television.
* People who own homes vote more, volunteer more and contribute more to their neighborhoods.
* People who own homes report a much higher level of life satisfaction than continual renters…
* … but buyers who reported having difficulty paying for needed repairs report significantly lower levels of life satisfaction than those that don’t!
* Owning a home is one of the best ways to build long-term wealth. Historically, a home owner’s net worth has ranged from 31 to 46 times that of a renter.
Some stats sourced from the National Association of Realtors
* The repairs provide immediate financial stability by reducing the direct cost of home maintenance, like energy bills.
* The repairs provide an increasing a sense of safety by reducing or eliminating hazardous conditions, from electrical, plumbing, heating, or structural.
* The repairs can increase a sense of independence by providing modifications that allow individuals with disabilities or mobility issues to access their whole home.
* Home owners do not move as frequently as renters, providing more neighborhood stability. In turn, this stability helps reduce crime and supports neighborhood upkeep.
* Children of home owners do better in school, stay in school longer, are more likely to participate in organized activities and spend less time in front of the television.
* People who own homes vote more, volunteer more and contribute more to their neighborhoods.
* People who own homes report a much higher level of life satisfaction than continual renters…
* … but buyers who reported having difficulty paying for needed repairs report significantly lower levels of life satisfaction than those that don’t!
* Owning a home is one of the best ways to build long-term wealth. Historically, a home owner’s net worth has ranged from 31 to 46 times that of a renter.
Some stats sourced from the National Association of Realtors
January 01, 2011
On the eighth day...
...Did you know we work in 8 wards in Aurora? Write or call your alderman and tell them about the great work we've done for their community, and say thanks for all their support!
Ward 1 - Abby Schuler
Ward 2 - Juany Garza
Ward 3 - Sephanie Kifowit
Ward 4 - Rick Lawrence
Ward 5 - John "Whitey" Peters
Ward 6 - Mike Saville
Ward 7 - Scheketa Hart-Burks
Ward 8 - Richard Mervine
Happy New Year!
Ward 1 - Abby Schuler
Ward 2 - Juany Garza
Ward 3 - Sephanie Kifowit
Ward 4 - Rick Lawrence
Ward 5 - John "Whitey" Peters
Ward 6 - Mike Saville
Ward 7 - Scheketa Hart-Burks
Ward 8 - Richard Mervine
Happy New Year!
December 31, 2010
On the seventh day...
…there are seven ways you can give back to RTA.
*Individual donations can be made online through Network for Good
*Purchase business gifts through giftback
*Pledge a portion of your regular paycheck through the United Way
*Sponsor an April or Special project
*Organize volunteers for a project
*Joining as a year round Individual In Action
*telling friends and family about us and our mission!
*Individual donations can be made online through Network for Good
*Purchase business gifts through giftback
*Pledge a portion of your regular paycheck through the United Way
*Sponsor an April or Special project
*Organize volunteers for a project
*Joining as a year round Individual In Action
*telling friends and family about us and our mission!
December 30, 2010
On the sixth day...
...a recent project in 6 photos. (this home was an April project)
Before
After
Before
After
Before
After
Before
After
Before
After
Before
After
December 27, 2010
On the third day...
…we reflect on the three statements that continually drive us: our mission, vision, and values.
Mission
To bring volunteers and communities together to improve the homes of low-income homeowners so that they may live in warmth, safety and independence.
Vision
A safe and healthy home for everyone.
Values
* We are committed to helping low-income people and communities and respect their integrity, strengths, and assets. We strengthen lives, homes, and communities.
* We work in partnership with neighborhoods, involving residents in all aspects of our work. We value collaboration with other groups who share similar goals.
* We believe in quality planning, delivery, and evaluation of our services.
* We believe in inclusiveness, and seek to promote a diversity that is reflective of our communities.
* We recognize the uniqueness of each affiliate and their community and respect local flexibility and creativity in decision-making and service delivery.
* Volunteers delivering free services on National Rebuilding Day is our core initiative and our common denominator, along with the cost-effective leveraging of donated materials, supplies and labor.
Mission
To bring volunteers and communities together to improve the homes of low-income homeowners so that they may live in warmth, safety and independence.
Vision
A safe and healthy home for everyone.
Values
* We are committed to helping low-income people and communities and respect their integrity, strengths, and assets. We strengthen lives, homes, and communities.
* We work in partnership with neighborhoods, involving residents in all aspects of our work. We value collaboration with other groups who share similar goals.
* We believe in quality planning, delivery, and evaluation of our services.
* We believe in inclusiveness, and seek to promote a diversity that is reflective of our communities.
* We recognize the uniqueness of each affiliate and their community and respect local flexibility and creativity in decision-making and service delivery.
* Volunteers delivering free services on National Rebuilding Day is our core initiative and our common denominator, along with the cost-effective leveraging of donated materials, supplies and labor.
December 26, 2010
On the second day...
…there are two directions recently weighing in our minds: RTA’s history and future.
HISTORY
Begun in 1993 by five guys from Notre Dame University, our organization a was an affiliate of what was then called Christmas in April.
1997 18 homes!
1998 18 homes!
1999 24 homes!
2000 26 homes!
2001 19 homes!
2003 16 homes!
2004 17 homes!
2005 12 homes!
2006 16 homes!
17 homes were completed in 2007.
Christmas in April became Rebuilding Together in 2008.
Emily, the first full time staff member, joined as the AmeriCorps member in August of 2008.
26 homes were completed in 2008.
Molly, the AmeriCorps member doubled the full time staff, by joining on in 2009.
The Year Round Repair Program launched in 2009.
32 homes were completed in 2009.
Laura replaced Molly in 2010.
52 homes were completed in 2010.
FUTURE
We will welcome our THIRD full time staff member in January.
We aim to beat out 2010 number of homes: shooting for 55.
HISTORY
Begun in 1993 by five guys from Notre Dame University, our organization a was an affiliate of what was then called Christmas in April.
1997 18 homes!
1998 18 homes!
1999 24 homes!
2000 26 homes!
2001 19 homes!
2003 16 homes!
2004 17 homes!
2005 12 homes!
2006 16 homes!
17 homes were completed in 2007.
Christmas in April became Rebuilding Together in 2008.
Emily, the first full time staff member, joined as the AmeriCorps member in August of 2008.
26 homes were completed in 2008.
Molly, the AmeriCorps member doubled the full time staff, by joining on in 2009.
The Year Round Repair Program launched in 2009.
32 homes were completed in 2009.
Laura replaced Molly in 2010.
52 homes were completed in 2010.
FUTURE
We will welcome our THIRD full time staff member in January.
We aim to beat out 2010 number of homes: shooting for 55.
December 25, 2010
On the first day...
…the one word that describes and drives our year: IMPACT.
To borrow heavily from Emily's end of year snippet in the December newsletter:
In reflecting back on 2010, one word quickly moves to the forefront of my mind: IMPACT. In looking at the dictionary’s definition of IMPACT, several definitions are listed. These include, but are not limited to, influence, effect, and the force exerted by a new idea, concept, technology, or ideology. After a record-breaking and life-changing year at Rebuilding Together Aurora, I would like you to consider another definition of IMPACT: a collective group’s influence on other people’s lives...
The collective influence of this group [68 financial supporters, 700 local volunteers, 1 staff member, 2 AmeriCorps members, 12 board members, 10 advisory board members, and several community partners] has done the following:
· Improved the daily living environment for 129 low-income people by providing home repairs they couldn't provide for themselves
· Provided financial relief to 51 families residing in owner-occupied homes in Aurora
· Improved a community of 172,950 people
As we close out a monumental year, I would like to sincerely thank you for being a part of our efforts in 2010. You’re support has allowed us to have an unforgettable IMPACT on many people’s lives and the community of Aurora. You have been a blessing to our organization and the family’s we serve and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
View the video that sums up our compassion for community change here:
2010 Compassion on a New Level
Thank you all again for a fantastic year of IMPACT, and help us bring in 2011 with COMPASSION for COMMUNITY!
To borrow heavily from Emily's end of year snippet in the December newsletter:
In reflecting back on 2010, one word quickly moves to the forefront of my mind: IMPACT. In looking at the dictionary’s definition of IMPACT, several definitions are listed. These include, but are not limited to, influence, effect, and the force exerted by a new idea, concept, technology, or ideology. After a record-breaking and life-changing year at Rebuilding Together Aurora, I would like you to consider another definition of IMPACT: a collective group’s influence on other people’s lives...
The collective influence of this group [68 financial supporters, 700 local volunteers, 1 staff member, 2 AmeriCorps members, 12 board members, 10 advisory board members, and several community partners] has done the following:
· Improved the daily living environment for 129 low-income people by providing home repairs they couldn't provide for themselves
· Provided financial relief to 51 families residing in owner-occupied homes in Aurora
· Improved a community of 172,950 people
As we close out a monumental year, I would like to sincerely thank you for being a part of our efforts in 2010. You’re support has allowed us to have an unforgettable IMPACT on many people’s lives and the community of Aurora. You have been a blessing to our organization and the family’s we serve and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
View the video that sums up our compassion for community change here:
2010 Compassion on a New Level
Thank you all again for a fantastic year of IMPACT, and help us bring in 2011 with COMPASSION for COMMUNITY!
December 22, 2010
Twelve days of RTA!
In celebration of the spirit of the holiday, Rebuilding Together Aurora is sharing with you our own 12 day countdown- RTA style! Each day we will post a bit of history, a shout out, or a little-something-you-maybe-didn’t-know about our affiliate.
Check back every day December 25 - January 6 to learn something new!
Check back every day December 25 - January 6 to learn something new!
December 13, 2010
A letter from Emily
Amazing volunteers making a difference in Aurora
In reflecting back on 2010, one word quickly moves to the forefront of my mind: IMPACT. In looking at the dictionary’s definition of IMPACT, several definitions are listed. These include, but are not limited to, influence, effect, and the force exerted by a new idea, concept, technology, or ideology. After a record-breaking and life-changing year at Rebuilding Together Aurora, I would like you to consider another definition of IMPACT: a collective group’s influence on other people’s lives.
2010 has seen the most growth, the most volunteers, and the most homeowner recipients in Rebuilding Together Aurora's history. We conclude the year having repaired 51 homes and helping 130 individuals, a shocking 200% increase from our efforts just two years ago. Doing this work, however, required an extensive task force including 68 financial supporters, 700 local volunteers, 1 staff member, 2 AmeriCorps members, 12 board members, 10 advisory board members, and several community partners. If you are a number-driven person, you will quickly see that this is quite a large group of people. If you look a little deeper, however, you will see an impressive, yet humbling, network of people banding together to do good in Aurora. The collective influence of this group has done the following:
· Improved the daily living environment for 129 low-income people by providing home repairs they couldn't provide for themselves
· Provided financial relief to 51 families residing in owner-occupied homes in Aurora and the surrounding area
· Improved a community of 172,950 people
Now that’s IMPACT!
As we close out a monumental year, I would like to sincerely thank you for being a part of our efforts in 2010. You’re support has allowed us to have an unforgettable IMPACT on many people’s lives and the community of Aurora. You have been a blessing to our organization and the family’s we serve and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
With 2011’s rapid approach, we would like to also ask you to consider joining and supporting our efforts in 2011. Although 2010 was record-breaking, 2011 presents an even greater need for low-income home repair assistance. Presently, we have over 90 applications for assistance in 2011. If you are interested in being a part of our 2011 IMPACT, please consider volunteering with us by contacting Laura Mast at rtaoutreach@gmail.com. If you can find it in your heart to donate to our organization, donations can be processed electronically by going to www.rebuildingtogetheraurora.com or can be mailed to Rebuilding Together Aurora, 501 College Ave, Suite 101, Aurora IL 60505.
Last but not least, we have put together a video showcasing the powerful IMPACT of Rebuilding Together Aurora’s work in 2010 (take a look here). Enjoy and thank you sincerely for making it possible!
Emily Stern
Executive Director
