Rebuilding Together Introduction
Rebuilding Together, formerly known as Christmas in April, is a national non-profit organization that has several programs and community building projects which help low income families, veterans, and the elderly to remain living at home and age in place by providing free home modifications services. The major programs offered by this coalition of non-profits, volunteers, and corporate agencies, are the Safe at Home Program, the Heroes at Home Program, and the National Rebuilding Day. Rebuilding Together has nearly 150 affiliates nationwide.
Safe at Home
This program is targeted towards low income seniors and families that own their homes and require assistance maintaining their home in livable conditions or whose disabilities require that minor home modifications be made to enable them to continue residing in their home. The installation of ramps, handrails, toilet risers, shower chairs, special lighting, smoke detectors, removal of debris, and other safety improvements is typical of the work performed by the organization’s volunteers.
Applications
Applications for assistance via Safe at Home are accepted and reviewed by local Rebuilding Together chapters. Eligibility criteria are also determined locally. Eligibility criteria is also determined locally. Typically, the organization focuses on lower income households, or households in which the combined income is lower than the median income for the area in which they serve. Proof of household income is requested in the application process.
Find your local Rebuilding Together affiliate to apply.
Heroes at Home
This program is targeted towards veterans, their families, caregivers, and/or widow and widowers. Most frequently the program modifies homes and home access to make them accessible to wheelchair bound veterans. This includes the construction of ramps and remodeling bathrooms, hallways, and kitchens to help veterans maintain their independence.
Applications
This program is a collaboration between Rebuilding Together and Sears Holdings. It is open to all honorably discharged veterans who own their homes and are in need of home modifications to maintain their independence. Services are provided by the local Rebuilding Together affiliates and applications are accepted and reviewed at the local level. Interested individuals can find their local Rebuilding Together affiliate on this webpage.
National Rebuilding Day
Formerly known as Christmas in April, this program occurs on a single day or a few days each April during which thousands of volunteers work to make home modifications across the country. The program focuses on providing services to low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Improvements and modifications are typically limited to those that can be completed in a single day and managed by volunteers. For example, the installation of handrails might be a likely project, while re-modeling a bathroom might be seen as too extensive an effort.
Applications
Applications are accepted and reviewed by the local Rebuilding Together affiliates. Many of the chapters have windows from June to October for applicants to file applications, although some extend as late as February. Additionally, some chapters have expanded their projects to include a second re-building day in other months. It is important to check with your local Rebuilding Together affiliate for more information about the National Rebuilding Day program in your area.
