Rebuilding Together New York City is a non-profit organization that, in partnership with the community, rehabilitates the houses of low-income homeowners, particularly people who are physically challenged and elderly, and facilities of nonprofit organizations in need so that they may live in warmth, safety, and independence. Rebuilding Together New York City (RT NYC) takes its cue from the old fashioned idea of “barn raising,” with skilled and unskilled volunteers assigned to a particular project. Homeowners and organizations are frequently amazed at the massive amount of work that can be accomplished by caring volunteers in a short period of time!
Neighborhood Rebuilding Day in Corona, Queens: 6 Homes, 7 Sponsors, and a Revitalized Block
On Saturday, June 5, hundreds of residents of Corona and Queens came together for a day of community revitalization, volunteering and celebration. For the event, called "My Block, My Home," Rebuilding Together NYC collaborated with the Louis Armstrong House Museum, Neighborhood Housing Services of Northern Queens and the Queens Museum of Art. All activities were at no cost to participants.
Volunteers rehabbed 6 homes on the block through Rebuilding Together NYC thanks to the day’s sponsors: Bank of New York Mellon, Bovis Lend Lease, King & Spalding LLP, NeighborWorks, Omni Group, Shawmut Design and Construction and State Farm Insurance. Volunteers and neighbors revived gardens on the block, cleaned facades and paint fences. Together, the day’s participants worked to beautify the historical landmark block in Corona. "This is like Christmas and my birthday all rolled into one," said Bertha Rogers, a resident on the block for 45 years whose home was rehabbed as part of the day.
Residents also enjoyed free services and information. Plaza del Sol, a family health center, offered health screenings to all families. Neighborhood Housing Services provided informational resources about services, loan scams prevention and affordable housing.
At 11:00 AM, the QMA and LAHM unveiled a collaboratively commissioned mural, depicting the vibrant life of Louis Armstrong as both a worldwide jazz figure and a devoted resident of Corona. Mural Artist Ricardo Cortes. LAHM staff provided workshops about the heritage of Louis Armstrong and his life in Corona.
"This has been a remarkable and collaborative effort," says Prerana Reddy, Public Events Director at the Queens Museum of Art. "The program is supporting the ongoing community efforts to beautify the neighborhood, honor our diverse heritages, and build collective memories."
Rebuilding Together NYC and Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation Team Modify The Home of Disabled Queens Resident
New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal’s Access To Home Program Supports the Project
Rebuilding Together NYC and Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation’s Youth Build program, with the support of the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) Access To Home program, modified and renovated the home of a low-income, disabled homeowner in Woodhaven, Queens from April 19th - 29th. This work was performed at no cost to the homeowner due to the support of Rebuilding Together NYC’s contract with the DHCR’s Access To Home program. Over the course of the project, the Youth Build group installed non-skid carpeting, repaired and refurbished the homeowner’s wheelchair access ramp, installed wall protection on the interior, created an accessible front entrance, and painted the interior of the home. In addition, Rebuilding Together NYC will provide a licensed electrician to install accessible electrical outlets in the bathroom.
Mary Ann Saccone, the homeowner on the receiving end of this project, said that this project was more than she could have ever hoped for. "My birthday occurred during the project, and I could not have asked for a better gift," said Ms. Saccone. Mary Ann relies on an electric scooter and walker to navigate her home due to Friedrich Ataxia, a progressive disease that affects her musculature. In recent years she has fallen repeatedly on her hardwood floors when using her walker for exercise, and her new carpeting will keep her from slipping on the floor. The volunteers repaired holes in the walls on the interior due to damage from Ms. Saccone’s scooter, and shored up and weatherized her wheelchair ramp so that it continues to provide a lifeline to the outside.
This is the first project on which Rebuilding Together NYC and Cypress Hills Local Development CorporationÕs Youth Build program have collaborated. "The students in our Youth Build program study for their high school equivalency degree while gaining construction experience, and we stress community service as a key component to our program," said Shelton Jones, Associate Director of Career and Educational Development Programs at CHLDC.
The project at Ms. Saccone’s home was also the first for Rebuilding Together NYC under its Access To Home contract. "We look forward to more successful home modification projects that not only help New York City residents in need but also bring the community together," said Matthew Lang, Executive Director of Rebuilding Together NYC.