WORKING WITH LOCAL PARTNERS
Rebuilding Together Colorado Springs is the leading rebuilding non-profit organization in the Pikes Peak region. We provide home repair while improving energy efficiency and accessibility for the elderly, people with disabilities, at-risk families, and those who have served in our nation's military. Our goals are to revitalize neighborhoods, preserve affordable homeownership and help our community reach its peak.
JUST ONE OF MANY
Robert and Bessie have been married for 63 years. Robert is 82 years old and his wife Bessie is 85. Robert uses a wheelchair due to a lung condition and recent open heart surgery. They have provided well for themselves and their family and now they need a little help.
Robert was in the Navy during WWII. He was injured in 1946 and after spending a year in a naval hospital, he was medically discharged. Robert was eventually able to get a job in a coal mine in his home state of Illinois where he worked with a pick and shovel loading carts. When the mine closed, Robert moved his family to Colorado. He became an electrician and Bessie worked as a nurse's aide while raising their family. Bessie later went to work in a potato chip factory and she retired after 18 years at the age of 82.
RTCS volunteers were proud to help Robert and Bessie by installing a wheelchair ramp. Bessie says it has helped her so much, because it had been getting harder for her to negotiate the steps herself, much less push Robert in his wheelchair. Robert can now get up and down the ramp independently, giving him a new found sense of freedom. It is easier for Bessie to get Robert to his doctors' appointments and it makes her daily living activities less physically stressful.
Bessie said, "Thank you to the volunteers and Rebuilding Together Colorado Springs. You have helped to make our retirement years so much happier. We deeply appreciate everything you have done for us."
BRING YOUR FRIENDS
Rebuilding Together Colorado Springs depends on skilled and unskilled volunteers for painting, repairs and ramp construction. Individuals, companies and community groups are encouraged to volunteer for projects throughout the year.
Rebuilding Together has an exciting ministry opportunity for your church, a simple way for your congregation to get involved in helping people who truly need the community's support. Your church can help the many elderly and disabled people in our community gain their freedom, restore their dignity, and enjoy a better quality
REBUILDING TOGETHER COLORADO SPRINGS MISSION:
Our mission is to bring volunteers and communities together to improve the homes and lives of low income homeowners, while preserving affordable housing in the Colorado Springs community.
MEET ROSEMARIE
Rosemarie is 84 years old and has lived in the same house for 43 years. Since she suffered a stroke and was confined to a wheelchair two years ago, Rosemarie has not been able to leave her home because there are five steps to negotiate. The only place she goes is to the doctor, and even then it takes two attendants to carry her down to the sidewalk.
What Rosemarie needs more than anything is a wheelchair ramp to her front door and a stair lift to reach the second floor of her house, so she can once again sleep in her own bedroom.
Rosemarie lives on a fixed income and does not have the extra funds it would take to buy these mobility items and have them installed.
"Ramp It Up" Outreach Ministry
Rosemarie is an example of the many people waiting for us to help. Rebuilding Together receives an average of two requests for wheelchair ramps and lifts every week, and we are the only non-profit organization attempting to fill this need. People like Rosemarie need your help! Here is an outreach mission you can do in your own community and, if there's a need, even for members of your own church family.
WHAT YOUR CHURCH CAN DO:
- Financially support the purchase and
installation of ramps and lifts.
- Form a ministry team to support "Ramp It Up."
- Spread the word about the need for ramps and lifts.
- Pray for abundance in this ministry.
Rebuilding Together will provide you with stories including before and after pictures of individual projects, making this a "real" experience for your members. If your ministry team wants to get more personally involved, we invite you to visit with the homeowner and do yard work, house clean up, painting, and weatherization.
Will you commit to three ramps and HOME Repairs this year?
"RAMP-IT-UP"
RTCS builds steel wheelchair ramps that are sturdy, safe and weather resistant. Our ramps are "recyclable", once a homeowner no longer needs the ramp we can refurbish and re-install the ramp in a new location.
Veteran & Active Duty Military Assistance Program
RTCS is able to respond to the growing needs of our military community. Many active duty and veteran military homeowners cannot afford nor physically manage home maintenance and modifications necessary to keep them in their homes. Fort Carson is home to soldiers in the Warrior Transition Unit.
"Warm 4 Winter"
Our weatherization and energy assistance project provides homeowners with the ability to reduce their use of gas and electricity. Our goal is a cost savings of 25% in energy expenses to every homeowner. The project starts with an energy use audit checklist performed by volunteers. Depending on need, energy saving items may include caulking, weather stripping, hot water heater blankets, CFL light bulbs, programmable thermostats, furnace filters and other energy saving devices.
"Safe at Home"
Home modifications make it possible for elderly and disabled homeowners to "age in place" by preventing falls and increasing accessibility.
