Update on Government Shutdown and Rebuilding Together Priorities

As of Monday, October 7th, Congress and the President remain unable to agree on how to fund the government for the funding year, which has resulted in a continuing shutdown of the Federal government since October the 1st. The shutdown has little to no impact on the Federal programs that support Rebuilding Together in the short-term.

The 65 CapacityCorps members at 32 affiliates will continue to be paid. The AmeriCorps grant that funds Rebuilding Together’s CapacityCorps program has already been awarded and will not be affected by the shutdown.  Similarly, the 57 affiliates who receive CDBG funding, which is awarded in the form of grants from the city or county in which they operate, will continue to be funded during the shutdown.

In the longer term, funding for Federal programs that support Rebuilding Together and would arrive in June/August of next year are at risk of being cut moderately, or significantly, but not eliminated. The debt-limit, which could be reached on October 17th, would impact the economy and low-income homeowners if it were reached, and the United States were unable to pay our debts. However, we continue to put the odds that an agreement in some form with respect to the debt limit and the shutdown will be reached before the 17th at over 95%.  Even if that 95% expectation is not realized, CDBG and CapacityCorps funding for this year are safe.

We are engaging as appropriate and will continue to monitor the situation and its impact on Rebuilding Together priorities.

If you have any questions, please email Matt de Ferranti at MdeFerranti@RebuildingTogether.org or call him at 202-518-3123

RTOKC Live on KFOR!

kfor_logo

Tomorrow morning, Rebuilding Together OKC will be LIVE on KFOR News Channel 4, with Ashley Kringen to test drive a few Derby cars in preparation for the 10th Annual Construction Derby!!  Be sure to tune in!!  Live shot times are: 7:36 a.m. 8:05 a.m. 8:36 a.m.

And don’t forget to stop by the FREE Construction Derby event on Sunday!  Kick-off at 11:45, Races start at 2pm!!

RBTPOST13REV

Rebuilding Together Hosts 10th Annual Construction Derby

A race of non-motorized derby cars on NW 5th Street in downtown OKC to raise money for Rebuilding Together OKC

Oklahoma City, OK. – Twenty-five derby vehicles, constructed of materials commonly used to make home modifications and repairs for Rebuilding Together OKC homeowners, will race in downtown Oklahoma City, competing in the 10th Annual Construction Derby. New to this year’s Construction Derby, Rebuilding Together will use a drag race style Christmas Tree lighting system at the starting line. This “PortATree” staging will allow for more accurate and exciting competition!

WHAT: Two classes will compete – professional and amateur – in this annual derby car race supporting the nonprofit Rebuilding Together OKC, which strives to keep senior citizens safe, warm and dry by providing free home repairs and safety modifications.  Construction Derby is an all-day event with children’s activities, a car show, and tailgating happening simultaneously.

WHEN: Sunday, October 6

  • 11:45 a.m. Race timed trials
  • 12:00 p.m. Special events begin (children’s area open, car show, Bricktown Clowns, Roxy’s Ice Cream Social, Kona Ice, Choc Beer)/Tailgating with free lunch
  • 2:00 p.m. Race begins
  • Approx. 4:00 p.m. Awards presentation

WHERE: “No Motor Speedway” (NW 5TH between WALKER & SHARTEL)

WHO: Derby teams are financial supporters of Rebuilding Together including businesses and community groups, which registered prior to derby.  The Construction Derby event is open to the general public and entry is free.

RSVP: Sara Norton-Sanner, community relations, Rebuilding Together OKC, sarachristine@rebuildingtogetherokc.org, 405-607-0464.

 


 

Rebuilding Together OKC brings volunteers and communities together to improve the homes and lives of low-income, elderly homeowners in the Oklahoma City metro area. Through our Year-Round Emergency Repair / Home Modification Program and our annual Rebuilding Day Program, we provide free home repairs, emergency home repairs and home modifications that foster safer mobility and independence, changing the lives of our elderly neighbors so they can age in place with grace and dignity.  For more information visit www.rebuildingtogetherokc.org

2013 National Service Impact Awards!

Congratulations to the members of Rebuilding Together’s AmeriCorps program CapacityCorps for taking home the People’s Choice Award at The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) 2013 National Service Impact Awards!

Recipients were announced at the AmeriCorps 20th Anniversary celebration on Sept. 20, 2013, in Washington, DC.

Learn more about their entry below:

Rebuilding Together, MLK Day and AmeriCorps, Oklahoma City, OK

Members of the Rebuilding Together AmeriCorps program, CapacityCorps, dedicated the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service to rebuilding homes and revitalizing communities in Oklahoma City.

Sixty-two AmeriCorps members came together from 20 different states to perform critical home repair services for veteran and senior citizen home owners in need. Rebuilding Together AmeriCorps members serving a collective 3,000 hours repaired nine homes with the help of area high school students and community members in the Carverdale-Edwards-South Creston Hills triangle area in Oklahoma City.

You can see all of the winners here: www.nationalservice.gov/special-initiatives/service-impact-awards

Learn more about the CapacityCorps program and MLK Work Week at Rebuilding Together OKC’s webpage!

NEEDED: Skilled Volunteers

 

DSC_0077

Our elderly homeowners are in desperate need. The clients we serve live in homes with severe tripping hazards, unsecure doors and windows, and floors caving in. Rebuilding Together OKC is committed to keeping these seniors safe, warm and dry, but we need your help!

We are seeking volunteers with home repair skills, or a willingness to learn new skills, to assist our homeowners with these projects. We have bathroom floors that need to be replaced, doors to be installed, small electrical and plumbing repairs to take care of, all those little things that our volunteers are so good at doing.

We have served our homeowners since 1992 thanks to the generosity and giving spirit of our volunteers. Without you we would not exist. Join us for a skilled project as we continue to make a difference in the lives of our elderly neighbors!

If you are interested working with our homeowners on some of these projects let us know by emailing Tim@rebuildingtogetherokc.org!

Ms. Martha K.

Martha K.

Ms. Martha K. is an independent 91-year-old still living in the home she purchased for herself 45 years ago.  Martha says she has spent her entire life working and raising her kids.  This retired waitress, who raised four children as a single mother, has been hit hard by age.  Ms. K is hearing impaired and blind in one eye.  She has also suffered from a heart attack and diabetes.  Though she faces difficulties with health, Ms. K. is determined to age in place.  She uses a walking stick to get around her two bedroom home, which is in need of weatherization, as well as new doors and windows.

Martha isn’t able to reach light fixtures or change light bulbs.   Her doctor recommends she not use ladders or step stools.  This limits her in the repairs she can make on her own.  Her son and daughter-in-law help Martha when they can, providing minor repairs to the home.  Rebuilding Together OKC, with the help of Lowe’s, would like to meet the major repair needs of Ms. K.’s home.  Rebuilding Together OKC has replaced Mrs. K.’s roof and bathroom floor and has many more projects planned this fall!