The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Volunteers renovate homes for families in Grove Park
Although no fee is charged, ‘we get paid with hugs, tears of joy.’
Rebuilding Together Atlanta, a 25-year-old nonprofit organization that helps revitalize and preserve affordable housing in Atlanta, recently helped five residents from the Grove Park neighborhood receive critical home repairs making the home safe for these families.
“Many low-income homeowners who saved and worked their entire lives to have their own house find themselves unable to afford to maintain their prized possession. Our goal is to help them so they are not having to choose between food and medicine or fixing a leaking roof or peeling paint,” said Camille Kesler, executive director of Rebuilding Together Atlanta.
The organization partnered with Honeywell Home and Building Technologies, and approximately 50 volunteers from that business helped Grove Park residents paint homes; landscape yards; add safety equipment such as carbon monoxide detectors, smoke alarms and fire suppression systems; clean gutters; remove dangerous tree branches; and more. Through RTA’s partnership with the city of Atlanta and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, one of these homes also received a new roof.
“There is a huge need in Atlanta for affordable housing and help. Practically every day, there are new stories and examples about how low-income Atlantans are being squeezed out of neighborhoods and their homes,” added Kesler. “Without our efforts, many of these recipients might continue to live in homes with moisture, mold or other hazardous conditions due to the cost, or lose their homes altogether.”
The Grove Park neighborhood borders on the western edge of the Atlanta Beltline. Recently, the neighborhood has begun to see the early stages of a development resurgence, as investors buy up the most affordable homes. Preserving the exterior appearance of Grove Park homes allows low-income, older adults to stay in their homes and protect property values. Maintaining safe and healthy living conditions for these homeowners allows them to age in place and with dignity.
When asked what the day meant to her, Anne Folk, vice president of human resources and communications of Honeywell shared, “I met the woman who owns the house I worked on and she was very appreciative. The work we did will help her live safely in her house for years to come. Community projects like this one are part of how we demonstrate the kind of neighbors we intend to be.”
People can volunteer with RTA in two different ways. Corporations and organizations can support RTA’s efforts through volunteering for projects and revitalization. The community can also volunteer for non-sponsored rebuild volunteer opportunities.
Since openingin1992, Rebuilding Together Atlanta has completed nearly 900 projects, with a market value totaling more than $3 million. RTA is part of a national association of more than 130 Rebuilding Together affiliates in all 50 states that works to renovate the homes of low-income homeowners for free.
“My favorite part of every one of our rebuilds is seeing the faces of the homeowners when they see the transformations in their homes,” added Kesler. “While we never charge a homeowner for a single thing, we like to say we often get paid with hugs and tears of joy. That joy really is the best part of what we do.”
In other news
The Georgia Center for Child Advocacy hosted its 22nd annual Cheer for Children Ball on Oct. 6 at The Foundry at Puritan Mill. The evening brought together 400 philanthropists, community leaders and socialites and raised over $200,000 to support thecenter’s mission to champion the needs of sexually and severely physically abused children through prevention, intervention, therapy and collaboration.