Thank you to the Star Tribune for featuring our incredible Ramp Team! You can read the article here.
If you or someone you know is in need of a ramp, please contact us at Homeowners@RebuildingTogether-TwinCities.org.
Rain and snow didn’t stop us from kicking off our 21st build season with volunteers from The Opus Group on April 20th to commemorate their Founders Day! With the support of The Opus Group, we were able to provide much-needed repairs to the homes of two low-income homeowners and establish a Garden Classroom and Learning area at the Maplewood Middle School.
We helped Mary Anne in Saint Paul, a grandmother who is currently providing housing for her daughter and five grandchildren. Mary Anne’s garage roof was damaged by storms and has been cited by the City for repair. We stripped the old shingles off of the garage and replaced them.
We also helped Diana, a senior veteran who lives with a disability in Minneapolis. We replaced all of the windows in the home with energy-efficient windows.
Finally, we established a Garden Classroom and Learning Area at the Maplewood Middle School, which is economically and racially-diverse with 53% of the school identifying as non-white and 63% of the students receiving free or reduced lunch. In addition, 13% of the students receive some type of special education. The school had space to establish a garden classroom that will provide hands-on learning opportunities to accompany their science curriculum. We landscaped, made improvements to the outdoor amphitheater, and created an open-air classroom.
We are incredibly grateful for the support of The Opus Group and the hard work of their volunteers! Together, we have made a meaningful difference for two homeowners in need and the students who attend Maplewood Middle School!
We would like to send a special thank you to everyone who was able to join us for our Breakfast on April 18th at the Center for Changing Lives! More than 100 people attended, and Minnesota Housing Finance Commissioner Mary Tingerthal and Department of Human Services Assistant Commissioner Claire Wilson shared their thoughts about how we can help seniors and individuals living with a disability remain in their homes and neighborhoods. We also raised more than $11,000 to help homeowners in need!
The Minnesota Department of Human Services recently awarded more than $7.5 million in grants to programs throughout the State that will help older adults with needs ranging from transportation and grocery delivery to caregiver support, home improvements and much more.
Live Well at Home grants help older Minnesotans remain in their homes rather than move to nursing homes or other more expensive settings. The latest grant funds are going to 53 organizations, benefiting Minnesotans statewide.
“Minnesota is a recognized national leader in helping older adults to remain independent,” said Acting Human Services Commissioner Chuck Johnson. “Through the Live Well at Home grants, we partner with local organizations throughout Minnesota to help older people stay in their homes and communities and to support family members and friends who provide most of the care for older Minnesotans.”
We are thrilled to be awarded $78,330 to expand our capacity to help make the homes of older adults accessible. We are very grateful for our partnership with the Department of Human Services!
The Department of Human Services released a video about Live Well at Home grants, and it includes our own Tony Sjogren! You can check it out here.
