"Everything Was Falling Apart:" Volunteer Construction Program an Answer to the Prayers of One Low-Income Homeowner With MD
By Quintero, Alyssa; Quest, Vol. 15, No. 5, pp. 46-47Publication Date: September-October 2008
Article features Rebuilding Together, an organization which rehabilitates homes for low-income homeowners who are elderly or disabled. Based in Washington State, Rebuilding Together has some 225 affiliates in 12 regions of the United States. Each affiliate sets income requirements and musters local volunteer teams consisting of skilled tradespeople, professional contractors, and ordinary citizens. Rehabilitation funds are given to vendors rather than directly to families. The article focuses on a project to repair and modify the home of a Denver resident with muscular dystrophy. In addition to the fence and roof repair requested, the team completed extensive house-wide repairs and added the following modifications to make the home accessible: (1) bathroom renovation, including a walk-in shower with grab bars, a bench, and hand-held showerhead; (2) handrails and non-slip surfaces on basement stairs; (3) grab bars in key locations; (4) carbon-monoxide detector, fire extinguisher, and smoke detectors; and (5) levered door handles replacing door knobs. Celebrating its 20th year, Rebuilding Together has rehabilitated 100,000 homes nationwide. A local affiliate can be found by calling (800) 473-4229 or visiting http://www.rebuildingtogether.org/content/organization/map.
Published by: Muscular Dystrophy Association (Website:http://www.mdausa.org)
Link to text: http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/q155Home_Mods_Falling_Apart.html
