University of MN’s College of Design Repairs Mary’s Home

Thanks to the volunteers from the University of Minnesota’s College of Design who made repairs and improvements to Mary’s home in the Payne-Phalen neighborhood on April 12th.  In her thank you note, Mary wrote, “Thank you to all the volunteers who helped remodel my family home.  I really appreciate all of your hard work, time and dedication.  This house has been a part of my life for 60+ years and with your help my family will be able to keep it for many more!”

It was truly a pleasure to work with the volunteer team from the College of Design and we look forward to partnering with you again!

Partnering with The Opus Group to Revitalize South Minneapolis Community

Rebuilding Together Twin Cities recently partnered with more than 60 volunteers from The Opus Group to make a big impact on a South Minneapolis community.  Volunteers repaired four homes in South Minneapolis, including the homes of a proud grandmother who needed accessibility and safety modifications to age-in-place safely in her home and a single mother whose son has Asperger’s syndrome.  The repairs provided by The Opus Group will ensure that these three families can live independently in safe and healthy homes.

Volunteers also made improvements to the Andersen United Community School, a diverse, thriving Pre K-8 that serves 1,280 students.  The School also provides bilingual literacy programs in Spanish and Somali, offers evening and Saturday programming for students and families and serves as the south side site for the Minneapolis Family Resource Center.  Volunteers painted murals showing school values; provided support in the Media Center; assisted teachers in classrooms; worked in the Andersen Community Garden; and beautified the playground and basketball court.

“We have a long history of volunteerism and service at The Opus Group. It is a core value of our organization,” said Tim Murnane, president and chief executive officer, Opus Holding, L.L.C. “Giving back to the community and building is what we know and we are happy to continue our partnership with Rebuilding Together and lend our skills and talents to this important mission.”

Thanks again to everyone from The Opus Group who came together to help four families in need and the Andersen United Community School!  Together, we have made a meaningful difference for this community.

Shop through Amazon Smile and Help Rebuilding Together Twin Cities

You can raise money for homeowners in need just by shopping on line at Amazon!  Here’s how it works, when you’re planning to shop on Amazon, start at Amazon Smile at https://smile.amazon.com/.  After you log into your account, you’ll be prompted to select a charity of choice.  Please select Rebuilding Together Twin Cities and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to help homeowners in need in the Twin Cities.

Mother and Daughter Build on May 17th!

Have you signed up for our Mother/Daughter Build yet?  Volunteers will work side-by-side in this hands-on opportunity to help a local veteran stay warm and safe in their home, and WCCO Radio’s Susan Blanch and her daughter will lead this group of fabulous women.

Rebuilding Together will host a training session at our office on Wednesday, May 14 from 6-8 p.m. that will review how to safely use basic power tools to complete simple home repairs. Then, the group will participate in a full-day repair project at the home of a local, low-income veteran from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2014.  Mothers and daughters will make simple home modifications such as grouting tile, caulking around bathtubs and windows, basic carpentry repairs with chop saws, circular saws, drills and more.

The event is limited to the first 10 women who sign up. The requested donation is $25 for an individual or $40 for two women. You must be at least 16-years-old to participate. Lunch and T-shirts will be provided.

To sign up, email Alina  at a.stevenson@rebuildingtogether-twincities.org or call at 651-776-4273.