Looking for Homeowners in Need

We are currently looking for homeowners in need of repair services in and around the Twin Cities.  Qualified applicants must own or be current with mortgage payments; be up-to-date with tax payments; reside in the home for which they are applying; and have homeowners insurance. The household income must be at or below 50% of area median income.  And, at least one resident in the home must be a senior, an individual living with a disability, a child under the age of 18, or an active or retired member of the armed services.

Interested homeowners can download an application here or request an application by email (homeowners@rebuildingtogether-twincities.org) or phone (651-776-4273).

Introducing Barnraisings.com – A New Way to Help Those in Need

Kickstarter is cool, but wouldn’t it be nice if we could crowdfund something more consequential than smartphone robots and solar armbands?  Now we can, right here in Minnesota.

Launching today, Barnraisings.com is the first crowdfunding and crowd volunteering site specifically for Minnesota nonprofit projects, and Rebuilding Together Twin Cities is proud to be one of the first nonprofits to utilize this site.

Here’s how it works:  Nonprofits submit the stories of their clients who are in need of something specific.  For example, if a wounded vet was in need of a handicap ramp, Rebuilding Together could submit the story, the need, the cost, and the number of volunteers required to complete the project.  Like Kickstarter, the project would only get funded if the entire amount is donated.  Projects have 90 days or less to reach their tipping point.

The idea of Barnraisings came about a year ago when Jim Rettew won the 2012 Minnesota Idea Open with his idea of “Multicultural Barn Raisings.”  The idea received a $15,000 grant for implementation (in partnership with Rebuilding Together), which supported the development of an online tool to match volunteers with “barn raising” projects.  Barnraisings.com is an independent evolution of that initial idea that embodies the spirit of coming together like a good ole fashion Amish barn raising.  People want to give to people.  They want to have a deeper, more meaningful, and more direct connection to the people they’re helping.  Barnraisings helps them do that.

Check out our homeowner stories at www.barnraisings.com – a new innovative way to connect your generosity to the people and stories that speak to you!

 

Wells Fargo Build Week!

We were thrilled to host employees from Wells Fargo for a week of hard work and fun from June 3rd through June 8th.  Volunteers worked on five homes over six days, making a huge difference for these families in need!  One of the homeowners they helped was a Vietnam veteran who lives in Minneapolis named Mel.  Volunteers installed glass block windows in the basement, insulated the attic, made energy efficiency improvements and did yardwork.

As part of this build week, we also completed our first Women’s Build!  A team of nine women from Wells Fargo made repairs for a St. Louis Park homeowner.  The Star Tribune highlighted this amazing team and you can view the coverage here.

In addition, one of the volunteer teams helped us rehabilitate a foreclosed home in St. Paul that will be sold to a low to moderate income family when the renovation is completed.

Thank you to the incredible volunteers from Wells Fargo for your hard work and thanks to Wells Fargo for your continued partnership with us to help homeowners in need live in safe and healthy homes!

 

MidCountry Bank Helps Rose in St. Paul

More than 30 volunteers from MidCountry Bank joined us on May 22nd to help Rose in St. Paul.  Volunteers tore out old, hollow concrete steps and replaced them with wooden ones; regraded her foundation; installed handrails on the steps to her front door; and installed several rain barrels. The homeowner, Rose, cares for her adult son, who lives with a disability.  She also provides housing for another young man with learning disabilities and mental health issues.

This is the eighth consecutive year that we’ve partnered with MidCountry Bank to help families in need in the Twin Cities.  Thank you to MidCountry for their support and the volunteers who came out to help Rose for your hard work and dedication!