National Rebuilding Day

National Rebuilding Day inspires organizations and volunteers to take their tools and get to work. Thousands of volunteers gather on this day and weekend to provide needed repairs to needy local families.

Why National Rebuilding Day?

This day brings local communities together by supporting the restoration of the homes of those in need. The majority of homes in the United States was built before 1980 and need regular repairs. The problem is that most low-income homeowners can't afford to do home repairs. Although it has derived from Chicago, National Rebuilding Day is eager to be good neighbors and ready to assist with repairs for any community.

Rebuild Together is a nonprofit organization in the US founded in order to maintain reasonable home ownership and regenerating neighborhoods by providing free home repair and renovation services to neighbors. It has a variety of initiatives to meet the needs of different groups of homeowners, including veterans, the elderly, the disabled, and disaster victims. Through some activities including community center repairs, playground construction, and partnerships with organizations focused on energy efficiency, sustainable community gardens, volunteer involvement, and owner education. At home, Rebuilding Together work also has an impact on the surrounding community.

On the last Saturday of April every year, RTP combine with community donors and approximately 2,000 volunteers to renovate 40 low-income housing complexes and 20 community buildings. Each project is unique in its own right, with its own history, scope of work and dedicated team of volunteers. Courtyard cleaning and painting are examples of projects, as are professional plumbing, window, electrical, and flooring repairs and in some cases, roof replacement.

History of National Rebuilding Day

A small group of citizens in Midland, Texas, recognized a growing need in their community in 1973. Some homes in their neighborhood had fallen into disrepair and not capable of self-improvement. The team devoted their time and skills to helping their neighbors renovate their homes. Realizing the potential impact of their efforts, the group founded Christmas in April with the intention of performing repair and restoration work in their neighborhood every April. The group's active work at first spread slowly, but eventually it became nationally known. The mission of expanding by providing services and bringing partners from all walks of life together are to support neighbors in every April. In 1988, they established their national headquarters and changed their name to Rebuilding Together.

Some truths about National Rebuilding Day

At present, National Rebuilding Day is declared as a leading nonprofit community redevelopment organization.

• National Rebuilding Day is a day for planning actions to honor the organization's goals as well as draw national attention to America's low-income housing problem. Community leaders and major corporate sponsors have considered this holiday as a great way to make an impact in the neighborhoods of the United States.
• In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Rebuilding Together established the Gulf Coast Operations program and committed to repairing 1,000 homes across the Gulf Coast. Rebuild 1000 was made possible in partnership with affiliates, sponsors and hundreds of volunteers at the Gulf Coast.
• Veterans Housing at Build Together was built to meet the needs of veterans taking part in wars both in past and present. Together rebuilding is effective to solve the gaps in modification and repair services that retired and active-duty members struggle to satisfy.
• AmeriCorps Rebuilding Together Capacity Corps Program is a National AmeriCorps program with 70 full-time AmeriCorps members serving at 30 Rebuilding Together branches across 23 states.
• Through recruiting volunteers, reaching customers, fixing low-income homeowners, implementing new projects, creating community partnerships, and expanding programs, Rebuilding Together Capacity Corps members help Rebuilding Together affiliates serve a wider range of lower-income homeowners.
• Until now, approximately 1,900 homes across Chicago are restored by donors and volunteers from National Rebuilding Day.

How to celebrate National Rebuilding Day

• Take part in volunteer groups to help build or rebuild homes in your local area.
• Not handy with tools? Instead, supply goods for rebuilding efforts. Consider contributing to a cause that helps individuals keep their homes safe and healthy.
• Use the hashtags #NationalRebuildingDay or #RebuildingDay when sharing your photos and your thought on social media to help generate more volunteers and enthusiasts.