Day 2 Recap: Lowe's, Carter's Kids, and RT!

Yesterday Rebuilding Together Seattle completed our major South Beacon Hill Community Revitalization (two day) event with Lowe's and Carter's Kids.  Toward the end of the day, a group of Lowe's volunteers walked past a neighbor's home that was in need of some help in the yard.  Within minutes, the volunteers were pulling weeds and sprucing up the yard!  Rebuilding Together Seattle was amazed by the kind and relentless efforts of the Lowe's volunteers, and thrilled to help another homeowner that day!

At 1:00 PM, volunteers gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony, in which representatives from Lowe's, Carter's Kids (Carter Oosterhouse and Amy Smart!), Tiny Tots, Rebuilding Together National, and Rebuilding Together Seattle spoke about the success of the event.  Volunteers were also joined by Uriel Ybarra (representing Patty Murray) and Representative Bob Hasegawa, a Beacon Hill native.

Prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony, Lowe's volunteers gave the little playground participants their own work outfit, including a mini apron, handy tools, safety goggles, and toys!  When Carter Oosterhouse gave the kids the go ahead to play, the little tikes wore their outfits with pride!

 RTS Executive Director, Margie Thirlby, gathers with Amy Smart (L) and Carter Oosterhouse (R) at the brand new playground!

Rebuilding Together Seattle sends a special thanks to our volunteer Project Managers (Richard, Eric, Mike, Ryan, and Morgan) for their countless efforts planning the five house projects, and to the Rebuilding Together South Sound Staff for supporting our event on both days!

For event photos, videos, and other features, please remember to check out the RTS Facebook page!

Check out the before and after of Tiny Tots' new playground!

THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS, FOR A GREAT DAY!

Photos taken by Dana Questad (pictured above) and Margie Thirlby

Day 1 updates: Lowe's, Carter's Kids, and RT action!

Today Rebuilding Together Seattle kicked off our BIG event with Lowe's and Carter's Kids in South Beacon Hill.  It was a very successful Day1!  Over 150 volunteers got right to work, restoring 5 homes, building a brand new playground, and passing out 100 weatherization kits around the neighborhood!

Tomorrow, volunteers will work from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and finish our event with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 1:00 PM with Carter Oosterhouse, Amy Smart, WA state/local representatives, and more!  Stay tuned for more updates this week - remember to check out our Facebook page!

 Thank you, Lowe's, for Sponsoring our event!

Rebuilding Together and Lowe’s Heroes to restore five homes, build new playground in South Beacon Hill

August 22, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Margie Thirlby (206.992.5512)

mthirlby@rtseattle.org

Rebuilding Together and Lowe’s Heroes to restore five homes, build new playground in South Beacon Hill

Seattle – August 16, 2012 – Rebuilding Together, a national nonprofit that believes in a safe and healthy home for every person, is partnering with Lowe’s, Carter’s Kids, and Rebuilding Together Seattle August 28-29 to revitalize the South Beacon Hill neighborhood. 

This will be the third community revitalization project this year that Rebuilding Together, Lowe’s and Carter’s Kids have hosted across the country in an effort to promote and sustain affordable, safe housing and healthier communities for youth. Lowe’s and Rebuilding Together have four additional community revitalization projects planned through May 2013.

Through the support of Seattle Public Schools, the volunteers will also partner with Carter’s Kids, a non-profit started by Carter Oosterhouse of HGTV to build a brand new playground to benefit the pre-school children at Tiny Tots Development Center and the entire South Beacon Hill community.

More than 100 Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers from around the region will volunteer their time and skills during the two day event.  The critical repair work will benefit five local families and include replacing plumbing, roof work, repairing exterior and interior walls and updating utilities. All of the renovations will provide the families with a higher quality of life and will allow them to remain in their homes longer.  Lowe’s Heroes will also deliver weatherization kits to local area residents and provide their expertise on how to make simple updates at home that save money and energy. 

Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation has donated more than $1.2 million so far this year to support community revitalization projects in low-income communities across the United States as part of their overall $2 million commitment towards Rebuilding Together’s mission.  Similar revitalization projects took place in Indianapolis and Philadelphia earlier this year.  Three more projects are scheduled for Charlotte, Phoenix and Minneapolis through early next year.

Media are invited to attend the event and interview volunteers, homeowners and school officials.

Key Events:

August 28 - 9 AM- 4:30 PM (work day)

August 29 - 9AM- Noon (finishing touches)

1 PM - Ribbon Cutting

Location:

Tiny Tots- Wing Luke Branch

3701 S. Kenyon St.

Seattle, WA 98118

To learn more about Rebuilding Together, its mission and work, visit www.RebuildingTogether.org.

About Rebuilding Together

Rebuilding Together believes that everyone deserves to live in a safe and healthy home. Our focus provides critical repairs, accessibility modifications and energy efficient upgrades to low-income homes and community centers at no cost to service recipients. Our impact extends beyond the individuals served to revitalize and stabilize vulnerable neighborhoods and communities across the country. Our 200 local affiliates complete 10,000 rebuild projects a year thanks to the efforts of nearly 200,000 volunteers from corporate partners, skilled trades professionals and everyday good citizens. Join us — visit www.RebuildingTogether.org.

About Lowe’s

Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. The company’s signature education grant program, Lowe’s Toolbox for Education^®, has donated nearly $5 million in grants to K-12 public schools every year since its inception in 2006. Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers support local community projects and our national nonprofit partners such as Habitat for Humanity and the American Red Cross. In 2010, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $30 million to support communities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.  To learn more, visit Lowes.com/SocialResponsibility.

About Carter’s Kids

Founded by HGTV’s Carter Oosterhouse, Carter's Kids is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating and promoting awareness of fitness and self-esteem for America's youth. The purpose is to increase the activity level of kids by building and developing community parks and playgrounds in their neighborhoods. The kids then have the opportunity to take an active part in building up their community by using, sharing, and caring for these public spaces. At Nueva Esperanza, Carter's Kids has designed a unique play area that will help students improve their strength and cardiovascular fitness levels. www.carters‐kids.org

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Over 100 volunteers to restore five homes and build a new playground next week!

That's right!  Next week, over 100 volunteers from Lowe's and Rebuilding Together Seattle will join Carter's Kids (with Carter Oosterhouse of HGTV) in South Beacon Hill to restore five homes and build a brand new playground in two days!

This will be the third community revitalization project this year that Rebuilding Together, Lowe’s and Carter’s Kids have hosted across the country in an effort to promote and sustain affordable, safe housing and healthier communities for youth.

In Seattle, volunteers will be helping five low income homeowners in need of essential home improvements.  In addition, volunteers will deliver Lowe's weatherization kits to the surrounding homes in the neighborhood.  Rebuilding Together Seattle is thankful to have the support of our Project Managers (Richard Petrone, Eric Kormondy, Mike Santopolo, Ryan Cleveland, and Morgan Lattin), as well as Lowe's Store Managers and volunteers, who have worked so hard to make this day possible!

Key Events:

August 28 - 9 AM- 4:30 PM (work day)

August 29 - 9AM- Noon (finishing touches)

1 PM - Ribbon Cutting

Playground Location:

Tiny Tots - Wing Luke Branch

3701 S. Kenyon St.

Seattle, WA 98118

About Rebuilding Together

Rebuilding Together believes that everyone deserves to live in a safe and healthy home. Our focus provides critical repairs, accessibility modifications and energy efficient upgrades to low-income homes and community centers at no cost to service recipients. Our impact extends beyond the individuals served to revitalize and stabilize vulnerable neighborhoods and communities across the country. Our 200 local affiliates complete 10,000 rebuild projects a year thanks to the efforts of nearly 200,000 volunteers from corporate partners, skilled trades professionals and everyday good citizens. Join us — visit www.RebuildingTogether.org.

About Lowe’s

Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. The company’s signature education grant program, Lowe’s Toolbox for Education^®, has donated nearly $5 million in grants to K-12 public schools every year since its inception in 2006. Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers support local community projects and our national nonprofit partners such as Habitat for Humanity and the American Red Cross. In 2010, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $30 million to support communities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.  To learn more, visit Lowes.com/SocialResponsibility.

 

 About Carter’s Kids

Founded by HGTV’s Carter Oosterhouse, Carter's Kids is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating and promoting awareness of fitness and self-esteem for America's youth. The purpose is to increase the activity level of kids by building and developing community parks and playgrounds in their neighborhoods. The kids then have the opportunity to take an active part in building up their community by using, sharing, and caring for these public spaces. At Nueva Esperanza, Carter's Kids has designed a unique play area that will help students improve their strength and cardiovascular fitness levels. www.carters‐kids.org

 

Media are invited to attend our event and interview volunteers, homeowners and school officials.  For more information, please call 206.682.1231 or email mthirlby@rtseattle.org.

Introducing Jeni Goeke (RTS 2012-2013 AmeriCorps Member)!

 

Rebuilding Together Seattle (RTS) is thrilled to welcome Jeni Goeke to our organization!  Jeni began her service as an AmeriCorps Member (CapacityCorps) at our affiliate on August 15th and will serve for a full year at RTS!   RTS is grateful for Jeni's commitment to serve our organization and the Rebuilding Together network as a whole.

Let's hear from Jeni!

1. For our supporters who might not be familiar, what is AmeriCorps? What is CapacityCorps?  

AmeriCorps is a program started by the U.S. federal government and is a division of the Corporation for National and Community Service.  One of the branches of AmeriCorps is AmeriCorps State and National, which provides grants to local and national organizations and agencies to assist them in recruiting, training and placing AmeriCorps members with their organization to meet community needs.  CapacityCorps is Rebuilding Together’s program of AmeriCorps members that serve at the different affiliates all over the country.  CapacityCorps is directed by a team of people that are based at the National Office in D.C.  AmeriCorps members serve in different non-profits in exchange for a modest living stipend, an excellent experience in a nonprofit, and assistance with educational expenses and/or loans.

2. Why did you decide to pursue AmeriCorps?

I decided to pursue AmeriCorps because I knew it would be a great way to get experience serving with a non-profit, which is where I see myself working.  I’m also excited by the education grant that I will receive to help pay back my student loans.  Mostly, I knew it would be a new challenge for me where I would not only grow professionally but also personally. 

3. How did you first learn about Rebuilding Together?

I am an avid HGTV fan and I actually heard about Rebuilding Together years ago on a commercial on HGTV and I thought it sounded really cool.  Then, as I was looking at different AmeriCorps positions last Spring I saw that Rebuilding Together had an opening and I applied immediately!

 

4. Why did you want to relocate to Seattle?

Interestingly, if you had asked me 6 months ago, I would have told you that I had no intention of moving away from Minnesota.  When I applied with Rebuilding Together CapacityCorps, I had to choose my top three location preferences and I chose Seattle as one of my three.  I’d never even visited Seattle until I moved out here in August but ever since I was little, this city held a special place in my heart for some reason.  When I was offered this position, I took all the hints, threw caution to the wind and told Margie I was ready for the adventure.

Why do you believe in the mission of Rebuilding Together Seattle?

I believe in the mission of Rebuilding Together Seattle because I feel like it is important to serve those who are less fortunate.  I believe everyone deserves to have a safe and comfortable place to live and the opportunity to share their story.  I love that Rebuilding Together Seattle gets to know the homeowners they are serving on a personal level and treats each person with dignity.

What are you most looking forward to during your year of service with Rebuilding Together Seattle?  What programs, opportunities, or initiatives interest you the most?

I’m really looking forward to growing in more ways than I can foresee right now.  I know serving with AmeriCorps and Rebuilding Together will bring many opportunities and challenges that I will be able to learn from.  I’m excited that I will be able to have my hands in a number of the different programs that RTS has.  Part of my position will be helping to expand the Veterans Program.  Many people that I’m close to have served in the military so veterans hold a very special place in my heart and I’m blessed to have the opportunity to serve them back.

  

Tell us a bit about yourself – how do you like to spend your time outside of work?

Outside of work, one of my favorite things to do is puzzles.  I could spend hours on a good puzzle.  I also really enjoy reading and being involved with different things at church.  I love eating, but I don’t like cooking, and lately I’ve been dabbling in some painting and drawing (no pun intended).  And of course, I still love watching HGTV.

Thank you, Jeni! We're so happy to have you on our team!

SUPPORT AN AMERICORPS MEMBER AT RTS!

Rebuilding Together Seattle thanks our 2012-2013 AmeriCorps Member Sponsor for enabling Jeni to serve at our organization and expand our programs to help more homeowners in need of essential home repairs.  If you or your company is interested in serving as an AmeriCorps Sponsor next year, please email mthirlby@rtseattle.org for more information.

Rebuilding Together AmeriCorps Program Enters Fifth Year WASHINGTON, DC - August 21, 2012 - Rebuilding Together, the nation's leading nonprofit working to preserve affordable homeownership, was awarded a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to continue the AmeriCorps program Rebuilding Together CapacityCorps. Rebuilding Together CapacityCorps is a National*Direct AmeriCorps program with 65 full-time members serving in 35 local affiliates in 19 states. Rebuilding Together AmeriCorps members build the capacity of grassroots Rebuilding Together programs so that they become sustainable, effective and efficient in helping additional low-income homeowners in need. As developing housing preservation leaders, these AmeriCorps members serve essential roles in building the capacity of their host sites in areas such as recruiting and managing volunteers, performing direct home repairs, building community partnerships, and creating new programs. The 2012-13 CapacityCorps program marks the fifth consecutive year Rebuilding Together has received AmeriCorps Funding. Through the support of CNCS over the past five years, Rebuilding Together AmeriCorps members have helped repair over 14,000 low-income homes with the support of 56,000 volunteers. "I have gained a new understanding of the housing difficulties in our country, but also of the solutions we can provide for these issues," said Chloe Morel, two term AmeriCorps member at Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley. "To me, CapacityCorps is a life-changing experience in itself. I have connected with other AmeriCorps members, who I am confident will be the next generation of housing leaders." August 15, 2012 marks the first day of service for Rebuilding Together AmeriCorps members at their local affiliates. They will serve more than 1,600 homeowners this year by providing critical repairs and modifications to returning and disabled veterans, low-income families in need, and older Americans needing assistance with aging in place. To learn more about Rebuilding Together CapacityCorps program, visit www.RebuildingTogether.org/capacitycorps ABOUT REBUILDING TOGETHER Rebuilding Together is the nation's leading nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing extensive rehabilitation and modification services to those in need at no cost to those served.  With the help of everyday citizen volunteers, skilled tradespeople, the support of local business and major corporate partners, Rebuilding Together affiliates in America's largest cities and smallest towns make life considerably better for thousands of low-income homeowners and the communities in which they live by completing 10,000 projects per year. Rebuilding Together has programs dedicated to, energy efficiency, veteran's housing, and aging in place and gulf coast reconstruction.   For more information, visit www.RebuildingTogether.org. You can also follow Rebuilding Together on Twitter @rebldgtogthr or become a fan on Facebook at Facebook.com/RebuildingTogether.  Media Contact: BCarter@rebuildingtogether.org (202) 518-3500. ### Stay tuned for a blog feature announcing Rebuilding Together Seattle's AmeriCorps Member, Jeni Goeke!