Rebuilding Together Orange County

who, what, and why

who our recipients are

Rebuilding Together
(formerly Christmas in April)

WHO, WHAT, WHY…

Who is eligible for Services?
Homeowners, particularly the elderly and those with disabilities, who are not able to do the work themselves are eligible, as are non-profit facilities, providing services to the low-income community.

Who can volunteer?
Anyone fourteen years of age or older can volunteer. Individuals and groups representing all professions come together from churches, synagogues, businesses, schools, community service organizations, corporations and associations. Volunteers need not be skilled at home repairs, but any special skills will be well-utilized and appreciated. Many skilled trades people and companies donate their time, trucks and tools.

What is REBUILDING TOGETHER?
We are a nation-wide, annual one-day blitz to repair and rehabilitate the homes of disadvantaged owner-residents. We unite people from all walks of life in a grand effort to assist neighbors in need. The program started in Southern California in 1990 under the name Rebuilding Together and has expanded since that time to include a total of 13 chapters. Each of the chapters is established as an independent, locally operated, non-profit organization. In the year 2000, the groups became Rebuilding Together.

What repairs are done?
Repairs can include plumbing, electrical, walls/plaster, paint, glazing, weather-stripping, roofs, lock repair, trash removal, cleaning & landscape.

What are the responsibilities of the homeowners being helped?
Household members who are able-bodied are expected to work alongside volunteers on the Rebuilding Project. When physical work is not possible, homeowners are encouraged to find other special ways to make volunteers feel welcome and appreciated.

Why is REBUILDING TOGETHER needed?
For the poor, elderly or handicapped, properly maintaining a home can be an impossible talk. Many cannot provide themselves with even the basic necessities. We put heat into homes where families have shivered through the winter; repair plumbing and kitchen facilities for senior citizens who have been unable to use them for years; plaster and paint walls and ceilings; repair or replace leaking roofs; replace faulty locks, drafty windows and unsafe electrical wiring. Safety features such as ramps, railings, grab bars are added to help make the home safe.

How are REBUILDING TOGETHER home sites selected?
Local churches, synagogues, community organizations and service groups bring individuals to the attention of the program. In additions, an individual, neighbor or family member may request an application by letter or phone call. Our Site Selection Committee makes a work-scope visit to each applicants, and ultimately makes the difficult determination as to whether a home meets the eligibility criteria and program capabilities.

Ways to contribute

REBUILDING TOGETHER ORANGE COUNTY
(formerly Christmas in April)

WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE…

MAJOR DONOR:
A $5,000 or more cash donation, and when possible, a team of volunteers to assist in the repair and refurbishment of a REBUILDING TOGETHER-ORANGE COUNTY project site.

COMMUNITY BUILDER:
A $3,000 or more cash donation, and when possible, a team of volunteers to assist in the repair and refurbishment of a REBUILDING TOGETHER-ORANGE COUNTY project site.

FRIEND:
A cash donation which will be used for purchasing building materials needed for the Rebuilding Project.

NEIGHBORHOOD BUILDER:
Volunteers and teamwork are the heart of this program. Each home/site requires 25-50 volunteers-we desperately need teams of volunteers that can work together one day in April to help their less fortunate neighbors. Volunteer Team Leaders organize and provide a group of friends and associates for the project work day.

ASSOCIATE BUILDER:
Donations such as the following are always needed: paint, paint brushes/rollers, cleaning supplies, carpet, flooring, lumber, drywall, gardening supplies, and fencing material to name a few.

Skilled Labor Services such as carpet installation, roof repair, driveway repair, plastering and stucco patching, furnace repair, electrical work, plumbing and tree trimming.

Services to support the volunteers such as food, drinks, transportation, hauling, trash disposal, etc. are also needed.

making homes safe check list

Making Homes Safe – Modification Checklist


Millions of elderly Americans prefer to age in their own homes, but many face special challenges to live in and maintain their homes. Rebuilding Together USA and the Administration on Aging have collaborated in a national effort to allow the elderly to age in their homes, safely and securely. The following checklist of home modifications, provided on the Rebuilding Together website (www.rebuildingtogether.org), offers solutions for the most common danger areas in homes.


Exterior Entrances/Exits
§ Install stair rails on both sides.
§ Install door lever-type handles on all interior and exterior doors.
§ Install double-bolt lock.
§ Create surfaces to place packages when opening door.
§ Install peephole in exterior door.
§ Repair holes, uneven joints on walkway.
§ Provide non-slip finish to walkway surface.
§ Add ramp.
§ Increase lighting at entry area.

Interior Doors, Halls, Stairs
§ Create clear pathways between rooms.
§ Apply color contrast/texture change at top/bottom stair edges.
§ Install “swing-clear” hinges to widen doorways,
minimum width – 32”.
§ Install beveled thresholds (max ½”).
§ Replace/add non-slip surface on steps.
§ Repair/install stair handrails on both sides.

Bathroom
§ Install secure wall reinforcement.
§ Place grab bars at toilet, bath and shower.
§ Install adjustable-height shower head.
§ Install non-slip strips in bath/shower.
§ Secure floor bathmat with non-slip, double-sided rug tape.
§ Elevate toilet height by adding portable seat
or raising toilet base on a pedestal.
§ Adapt flush handle or install flush sensor.
§ Adapt or relocate toilet paper dispenser.
§ Round counter corners to provide safety.
§ Insulate hot water pipes if exposed in bath or kitchen.
§ Create sitting knee clearance at basin by removing
bottom vanity door/shelves.
§ Install mirror for sitting/standing view.
§ Install good-quality non-glare lighting.
§ Install no threshold shower if bathing abilities are limited.

Laundry
§ Build counter for sorting/folding clothes.
§ Adjust clothesline to convenient height.
§ Relocate laundry appliances.


Kitchen
§ Increase task lighting – sink, stove, etc.
§ Install “D” type cupboard door handles.
§ Install adjustable shelving to increase access to upper cabinets.
§ Install hot-proof surface near oven.
§ Install switch/outlets at front of counter.
§ Install pressure-balanced, temperature regulated faucets, lever type.
§ Create sitting knee clearance under work sites
by removing cabinet door/shelves.
§ Improve color-contrast cabinet/counter surface edges and add tactile/color contrasted controls for vision impaired.

Living, Dining, Bedroom
§ Widen/clear pathways within each room by rearranging furniture.
§ Secure throw/area rug edges with double-sided tape.
§ Improve access to/from chair and bed by inserting
risers under furniture legs.
§ Use side bed rail or chairs with armrests.
§ Install telephone jack near chair/bed.
§ Enlarge lamp switch or install touch control lamp at bedside.
§ Install adjustable closet rods/shelving and light source
for better storage access.
§ Install vertical pole adjacent to chair/sofa.
§ Raise furniture to appropriate height using leg extender products.
§ Install uniform level floor surfaces using wood/tile/or
low pile rugs.

Storage Space
§ Install lights inside closets.
§ Install adjustable closet rods and shelves.
§ Install bi-fold/pocket doors.

Windows
§ Install easy-to-grip handles and locks at appropriate heights.

Environment Controls
§ Increase resident’s access to environmental control systems.
§ Install smoke/CO2 detectors; fire extinguishers