Volunteers from GLS Companies Help South Minneapolis Homeowner

On September 29th, we partnered with volunteers from GLS Companies to make repairs for a South Minneapolis homeowner named Roma.  Roma has lived in her home for her entire life and takes great pride in the fact that this home has been in her family for over 150 years.  She worked as a labor and delivery nurse at Riverside Hospital until she retired.  She spends her time cooking meals for her family and sewing Raggedy Ann dolls for her grandchildren.

Roma would like to continue living independently in her home for as long as possible, but needed some repairs, and safety and accessibility modifications to make that possible. Volunteers from GLS made several repairs, including tearing down an old and dangerous shed, and installing a new shed; replacing a broken sidewalk with new sidewalk pavers; installing a handrail and grab bars; installing gutters; fixing a leak in the roof of a second floor deck; installing an awning; and performing yardwork.

This is the second year in a row that we have partnered with GLS Companies and our third collaborative project with them.  Thanks to everyone who came out to help Roma!

Teaming Up with Wells Fargo for Real Estate Owned Program

We recently joined efforts with Wells Fargo to help Twin Cities residents find safe, affordable homes through our new Real Estate Owned (REO) Program.  Through this collaborative effort, Wells Fargo donated a foreclosed home to Rebuilding Together Twin Cities.  We renovated the home and worked with a real estate agent to sell the home to a low-to-moderate income buyer (household income between 80% and 120% of area median income).  The buyer was required to complete a Homebuyer Education class and show certificate of completion before closing. The buyer is also required to live in the home; it cannot be re-sold to an investor.  The proceeds from the sale of the home are returned to Rebuilding Together Twin Cities’ operating fund, allowing us to continue to make critical home repairs for homeowners in need.

“We are happy to partner with Wells Fargo to increase homeownership opportunities for low-income families,” said Kathy Greiner, our Executive Director.  “These renovated homes have a positive impact on the neighborhoods, and the proceeds from the sales allow us to continue our mission: keep homeowners living independently and safely in the homes and neighborhoods they love.”

“Wells Fargo is proud to support the work of Rebuilding Together to help create affordable and sustainable housing opportunities for low-to-moderate income families,” said Kimberly Jackson, head of the Wells Fargo Housing Foundation.

The first house renovated and sold through the REO program is located in Richfield, Minn.  Rebuilding Together Twin Cities has plans to renovate and sell a total of four homes this fiscal year.

AmeriCorps Adventures: Kelly Bandman on Making a Difference

What does it mean to make a difference? What does spending a year in service mean? These were both questions I pondered as I began my year with AmeriCorps and Rebuilding Together. Now, a mere month later, I am humbled by the largeness of our world. I have only begun to discover the answers to my questions, but my greatest realization comes from this newfound recognition; despite the seemingly huge task Rebuilding Together has taken on, I plainly see these comparatively small gestures making a remarkable difference on the whole.

I used to think of the singular person as insignificant. In a world of billions of people, how could one person even matter? Well, my first project as a CapacityCorps member has opened my eyes to how one person can indeed make that difference.

On my first home preview with Rebuilding Together Twin Cities, I met a young woman named Natoya. Sitting down with this stranger, I quickly began to realize the truly inspirational person I was meeting. This hard working young mother is the first person in her family to own her own home; a goal she set for herself at the age of 15, and accomplished at the age of 24. I was blown away by her determination and courage.

Listed on Natoya’s application were a number of home repairs she was unable to complete on her own, but the one item she clearly held above the rest was the need for a privacy fence. As a mother with three young children, she was overjoyed with the idea that we could do anything for her, but the fence was the one thing she felt was most necessary.

Heading back to the Rebuilding Together Twin Cities office, I had the feeling that we needed to find the resources for her project. For the first time I felt, as a single person, I could affect change, but I wouldn’t be able to do it alone.

I am happy to say that we have found resources for Natoya’s project. In addition to installing a privacy fence, we are planning to improve a few other areas of Natoya’s home to help her family stay safe and healthy. On top of that, through a referral from our organization, the old windows in her home are being replaced by ClearCorps at no cost to Natoya.

I know that with this story, the one person making a difference is not me, but the homeowner I am working with. As much as we worked together to help her, she alone has made the biggest difference. Without her initiation, I wouldn’t be able to be a part of her story. Without her perseverance, her children couldn’t play safely outside. She has taught me that through serving each other, every person has the ability to make a difference. I couldn’t wait to share her story and my new outlook on service with the volunteers when work on Natoya’s project began on Tuesday, September 18. As only my first project of many, I’m looking forward to the multitude of opportunities to assist others on their journey to change the world through listening, sharing, encouragement, and most of all working together.

By Kelly Bandman, AmeriCorps Project Coordinator