Rebuilding Together Petersburg

Rebuilding Days 2010 will be held on April 17th and 24th and volunteer teams will work to repair between 12 and 15 houses in the Battersea and Delectable Heights neighborhoods. Would you like to be involved or find out more about our program? Fill in our sponsor sheet or call the Rebuilding Together Petersburg office at (804) 861-8686 for more information.

Volunteers come from corporations, civic groups, churches, schools and more.

What is Rebuilding Together Petersburg?

Rebuilding Together Petersburg is a neighborhood revitalization program. Rebuilding Together Petersburg is affiliated with Rebuilding Together, the nation’s largest volunteer organization preserving and revitalizing low-income houses and communities. After months of extensive planning and organizing Rebuilding Together Petersburg joins volunteers, skilled trades people, donated and purchased building supplies to repair the owner occupied homes of low-income elderly and/or disabled in various Petersburg neighborhoods.

Why are these services needed?

Today, Rebuilding Together Petersburg is a major component of overall neighborhood revitalization effort. Petersburg is the third most fiscally stressed jurisdiction in the state. The number of low-income homeowners increases each year.

What type of work is done?

Rebuilding Together Petersburg provides year round services in our Home Mod Program installing grab bars, sturdy railings, ramps and other modifications to allow homeowners to safely "age in place." Rebuilding Days are held the last two Saturdays in April and major home rebuilding projects are undertaken in a different part of the city each year. Volunteer teams also revitalize community centers and perform a neighborhood clean up. A new program starting in 2008 is the Heroes at Home Program providing home repairs and modifications to low-income active duty or retired U.S. service members and military families.

Who pays for the program?

All repairs are paid for by Rebuilding Together Petersburg; there is no cost to the homeowner. Financial contributions and supply donations to Rebuilding Together Petersburg come from generous individuals, corporations, foundations, civic organizations, religious organizations that are interested in building a better America. Rebuilding Together Petersburg is a non-profit organization and all contributions/donations are fully tax deductible.

What is the national impact?

Rebuilding Together is the nation’s largest volunteer home rehabilitation organization, providing repairs and modifications free of charge to homeowners in need.  With the support of private industry and 275,000 volunteers, the 255 Rebuilding Together affiliates in 46 states work to preserve and revitalize over 1800 communities nationwide by repairing and upgrading over 10,000 owner-occupied homes and community centers each year.

What is the total local impact:

Rebuilding Together Petersburg has been rehabilitating homes in Petersburg since 1994 and has already made a positive impact on 11 neighborhoods, over 220 homes, 6 community centers and countless individuals.

Who is eligible to be a recipient?

Homeowners must be low-income and elderly, disabled, or families with children, and unable to do the work themselves. The site selection process takes place locally, within broad national guidelines. Individual families are referred through neighborhood associations, churches, synagogues, community organizations, and service groups, or by self-referral.

How are the homes selected?

Rebuilding Together Petersburg works in conjunction with neighborhood associations in targeted areas of Petersburg. All homeowners in the targeted areas are notified about the program. Several home visits and interviews are made by professionals and volunteers to determine whether a homeowner meets eligibility requirements, is in need, and the scope of work is within the capability of the volunteers.

Who can volunteer?

Anyone 15 and older can be a Rebuilding Together Petersburg volunteer. Our volunteers come from all economic and ethnic backgrounds and various professions. You do not have to be skilled at home repairs, just have a willingness to help.

What about skilled trades people?

Special efforts are made to recruit skilled volunteer help from the community. Without skilled workers, many of the repairs cannot be made.