In recognition of the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance and in partnership with the City of Aurora, RTA held the first ever Green Home House Calls event on Saturday, September 10 at Waubonsee Community College.
66 households (that's 165 residents!) were provided with the tools and training necessary to provide DIY energy efficiency upgrades and modifications to their own homes. Each homeowner was given a pack of materials worth over $150 for attending the training, including weather stripping, low-flow water fixtures, CFL lightbulbs, water heater insulation, and a programmable thermostat.
This incredible effort was made possible in part by the 48 incredible volunteers came out to assist the project, providing help to 19 households with elderly or disabled residents.
We received great feedback about the training, and incredible stories of volunteer collaboration, homeowner experience, and appreciation from both homeowners and volunteers alike for the class and pack.
We are excited to continue this event throughout the coming year, and plan to host several more events. If you'd like to participate as either a homeowner or volunteer, contact the RTA office to learn more.
September 15, 2011
Sponsor Shout Out
The Cat Team
A 19 person team from Caterpillar joined RTA on Wednesday, September 7 as part of the Unite Way Day of Service to prepare a East-side home for painting. The homeowner, Mr Newman, is a VietNam (US Navy) veteran who has been active in the community for many years as a public speaker and entertainer; this home, where he grew up and his mother passed, has been in his family for nearly 100 years. Mr Newman applied to RTA for assistance at the encouragement of his Alderman after receiving a city citation for unsightly exterior paint and a decaying garage. RTA has struck a unique partnership with several community organizations to repair these issues.
Work will continue on his home throughout the rest of the month as volunteer teams join forces to make the much needed repairs a reality.
Thank you to everyone from Caterpillar, one of our hardest working, most dedicated and enjoyable volunteer groups to help on a Special Project! We especially respect those brave souls who donned full tyvek lead-safe suits while working. You rock!
Brave soul
>Clean Up
June 29, 2011
Get Golfing, Greening, and Giving!
Photo by Hyvan De Leon
Summer newsletter is out: Check it out here!
Highlights include:
++ 3rd annual Ballydoyle Golf Outing, benefiting RTA -- including info on how to sign up
++ Fundraising deal with Quality Care Chiropractic -- donate $30 and get a free exam
++ Doc.Crew installation at River's Edge Cafe
++ Upcoming volunteer opportunities
++ and the announcement of our newest, most exciting program open to ALL HOMEOWNERS residing in Aurora...!
May 26, 2011
Volunteer Shout Out
An Extra snazzy THANK YOU is due to all of the professional photographers that participated as mentors in this year's RTA Doc.Crew, generously donating their patience, time, and talent. Each of these fine individuals led a team of 3-5 high school students, documenting RTA's volunteers in action on the last day of our April Rebuilding Event and capturing the community each of their project sites sits in.
Jimi and Kate Allen of Jimi Allen Productions
Keir Briscoe
Rich Hayhurst of Studio One Photography and Video
Pawel Kowalczyk
Brandi Martin of West Aurora High School (instructor)
Jeffrey Ross of Jeffrey Ross Photography
The students commonly responded that they would like MORE of these events, giving their mentors a whopping average of 4.5 / 5 on the helpfulness scale--- 100% said they would participate again.
So, thank you, thank you for making this event a huge success!
2011 Doc.Crew Final 5
These 5 photos, all captured by West Aurora High School students on May 7, were selected as a series that beautifully represented the Rebuilding Together Aurora experience. These photos will be printed large-scale, courtesy of Aurora Fast Print, and used extensively in our upcoming outreach campaigns.
These students also received gift certificates to Pockets, and will have their shots submitted for publication in local and national media.
"Project Rebuild" by Mia Sanders
"A Helping Hand" by Juan Molina
"1 Up" by Brandon Zierer
"RTA1" by Hyvan De Leon
"Concentration" by Mia Sanders
These students also received gift certificates to Pockets, and will have their shots submitted for publication in local and national media.
"Project Rebuild" by Mia Sanders
"A Helping Hand" by Juan Molina
"1 Up" by Brandon Zierer
"RTA1" by Hyvan De Leon
"Concentration" by Mia Sanders
