Fall Prevention – Page 3 – Rebuilding Together

Helping Ms. P Breathe More Easily

December 20, 2021

Our neighbor Ms. P has lived in her home for 23 years. She raised a big family and had a good job with the federal government. She yearned to be in a helping field, so she went to night school to become a medical assistant. She dreamed of helping babies and older people. Then, due to health complications she had to stop working, and stop going to school.

Ms. P is proud, self-sufficient, and doesn’t like to ask for help. Then she realized she was no longer able to go up and down her stairs safely. And when her doctor told her that the old carpeting in her living rooms was contributing to her breathing problems, she accepted that she couldn’t do everything on her own.

Our volunteers made essential repairs to help make her home safe again, all a zero cost to Ms. P.

Our volunteers installed grab bars in her bathroom, a second stair rail and LED light fixtures to brighten her kitchen, hallway and stairway. But the thing that brought the most joy to Ms. P was her new living room floor. Our team removed the old wall to wall carpeting and replaced it with vinyl plank flooring, removing a major source of allergens and asthma triggers and helping Ms. P breathe more easily.

Ms. P sent us a lovely handwritten note, saying in part, “Thank you for all you do for the people you bring joy to… Please know you are making a difference and you are appreciated.” (Ms. P’s letter is included at the bottom of this page).

Through our years of helping our community, we know just how much a safe and healthy home brings a new sense of hope to a senior aging in place, a family trying to make ends meet, or a disabled person who wants to remain in their home.

The last two years have challenged all of us in new and unexpected ways. We have felt that keenly at Rebuilding Together-AFF when talking to the neighbors we serve.

Your support can help make a year that has been difficult for everyone a little better. Please support our work with the most generous contribution you can. Your gift will bring warmth, safety and caring into the home of someone right here in our area.

With your support, we are able to help neighbors like Ms. P.

Click here to make a tax deductible contribution, or mail your gift to:

RT-AFF, 10723 Main St, Ste 135, Fairfax, VA 22030

Fall Rebuilding Days

November 2, 2021

Our first Fall Rebuilding Day was a huge success thanks to the support of seven of our longtime partners and a team of our year-round volunteers. The repairs and modifications they made will have a lasting impact for the homeowners and nonprofit residential facilities that we served.

We are incredibly proud of our team leaders and volunteers who joined us after missing two National Rebuilding Days due to the pandemic. “I was fortunate to visit many of the nine projects on Saturday to see our teams in action,” said Patti Klein, Executive Director. “The energy and smiles from the volunteers and homeowners were contagious! Everyone was excited to be back out in the community doing what they love – making a tangible difference in the hearts and homes of our neighbors.”

More than 100 community members volunteered their time to tackle a variety of repairs and modifications to correct health and safety hazards that included: installing grab bars and railings; making plumbing and electrical repairs; replacing appliances that were no longer functioning; installing new toilets, vanities, faucets and exhaust fans in bathrooms; patching and painting damaged walls, doors and ceilings; diverting water away from homes; removing and repairing broken fences; tacking overgrown yards; and so much more.

Please join me in thanking our caring and dedicated volunteers for an incredible day of work! And a special thank you to the women and men who served as team leaders who spent countless hours planning repairs, coaching their teams and sweating the details to make their projects a success.

2021 Fall Rebuilding Day Partners:

ACCA – Annandale Christian Community for Action
Bush Hill Presbyterian Church
Dulin United Methodist Church
Fairfax United Methodist Church
The Falls Church Episcopal
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
RT-AFF Year-Round Volunteers

RLAH Real Estate hosted their very first Rebuild on September 15 in Arlington. It was a big success and the volunteers had a great day working together to help a neighbor in need.

Dell Technologies Women in Action DC/Virginia Chapter completed our first She-Build project, bringing together a team of women volunteers to help a single mother by making repairs at her home so she and her family can live safely.

Here are some highlights from our Fall Rebuilding Days.

Burke United Methodist Church (pictured above) has been partnering with RT-AFF since 1998. House Captains Mike Holmes and Mike Sawin can always be counted on to accept challenging rebuilding projects and this year was no different. The BUMC team made critical repairs for a retired couple in Burke whose townhome was frequently inundated with water due to its low position in the neighborhood, and poor drainage. The team developed and executed a water mitigation plan and rainwater now drains into a nearby culvert rather than into the family’s basement. Faulty work in the basement done by a paid contractor also had to be corrected so the team replaced studs, installed drywall, painted, and made electrical repairs , transforming the rooms into bright, welcoming spaces where the couple’s grandchildren can play safely. They also cleared a dryer vent blocked by mice nests and made many other critical repairs and safety modifications. Mr. J said “Mike and the team did a great job. If there was something that needed doing they got it done. We’re very grateful and we feel safer and more secure in our home.”

Dell Technologies Women in Action DC/MD/VA Chapter (above) joined us for their first rebuild and our first She Build. “Helping Dina was really empowering for both her and our team of volunteers,” said House Captain and RT-AFF Board member Jean Edwards. “Some of our team members learned to do home maintenance projects they’ve never done before, and we helped Dina develop a sense of pride of ownership. She was overwhelmed by her responsibilities as a single mother, and tremendously grateful for our assistance.”

Fairfax United Methodist Church (pictured above) made repairs at two Gabriel Homes residences. Gabriel Homes provides residential placement, training and community integration for adults with developmental disabilities and is a nonprofit that the FUMC team loves to support. House Captains Mary McDaniel and Patricia Hupalo and their teams painted many rooms in both homes, making the rooms brighter and more welcoming. The teams created safe and tidy outdoor spaces for the residents by clearing overgrown plants and brush that were tripping hazards, correcting standing water problems that allowed biting insects to thrive, and taking care of other deferred maintenance. Outdoor spaces are an especially critical need during the pandemic and bring joy to the residents of Gabriel Homes.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Arlington completed their 34th rebuilding project with us this fall. Homeowners Mr. and Mrs. C enjoyed the camaraderie and great rapport with the St. Peter’s volunteers. The C’s now have a fully functional, safe bathroom and a working kitchen after living without a shower and with multiple broken appliances. The team corrected 10 health and safety priorities and the C’s home now meets all 25 RT Health and Safety Priorities. “We had a great day!” exclaimed House Captain Tony Poole. “Rebuilding Day is one of my favorite days of the year because it allows us to give back and help a family re-establish safety and livability in their home. I can’t wait for our next Rebuilding Day.” The team was honored to have a visit from Arlington County Board Member Matt De Ferranti. Team Captains Bruce Jolly and Tony Poole showed Matt around the project so he could see the importance of the work RT-AFF and our volunteers do for homeowners in need. RT-AFF receives funding from Arlington County through a Community Development Block Grant.

Patti Klein, Bruce Jolly, Matt De Ferranti and Tony Poole.

Low Cost Home Modifications to Prevent Falls

September 29, 2021

Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church has developed an effective system for identifying and correcting fall hazards in low-income seniors’ homes. Our Rebuilding Together Express program won the Commonwealth Council on Aging’s Best Practices award in 2018. In completing repairs to more than 218 homes we’ve demonstrated that relatively simple and low-cost repairs, modifications, and equipment can correct most fall hazards. Our small teams of RT Express volunteers correct 95% of fall hazards through half-day projects spending less than $500 for materials. Click the image below to watch the presentation that Don Ryan and Lucy Stein made at the Virginia Governor’s Conference on Aging.

Presenters: Don Ryan, Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church
Lucy Stein, MSOTR/L, CAPS MedStar Health

Celebrating our 218th RT Express Project!

February 25, 2021

Created in 2015 to fill a gap in our services, Rebuilding Together Express (RT Express) augments and complements our traditional home repair program. RT Express allows us to respond more rapidly to help more low-income homeowners age in place safely and comfortably. RT Express has evolved steadily. In 2015 we tested this model in eight homes, in 2016 we adjusted the scope and repairs and refined procedures through 22 pilot projects, and in 2017 we increased capacity and standardized procedures to complete home modifications and repairs on 35 homes. Now in 2020 we are celebrating our 218th project!

Nine highly committed Team Leaders have been the heart and soul of RT Express over the past five years – Bob Austin, Brian Goggin, Mark Heslep, Patrick Hughes, Bard Jackson, Bill Marshall, Don McCubbin, Ken Mittelholtz and Woody Woodburn. They collaborate with RT-AFF staff to make a comprehensive assessment of each home, develop the scope of work, assemble tools and materials, oversee the repairs and establish a trusting relationship with our homeowners, who are mostly senior citizens. Fall safety is a top priority, with grab bars, double stair rails, comfort-height toilets, and brighter lighting leading the list of repairs. RT Express projects also address fire safety, security, moisture and ventilation problems, and energy-saving upgrades.

RT Express has drawn a pool of skilled and talented volunteers who work regularly on projects and take deep satisfaction in learning from each other and in making dramatic differences in our clients’ lives. “It’s so gratifying to put my remodeling skills to work to make such a profound difference in someone’s life,” said team leader Bob Austin.

Since the beginning of our RT Express program, our volunteers have been able to correct 95% of fall hazards and 92% of ALL hazards for the homeowners we’ve served. We measure our success using Rebuilding Together’s list of 25 Health and Safety Priorities.

Homeowner Mrs. B wrote this note to us to express her gratitude for the repairs and modifications we made at her home:

“The railing on the back stairs and the railing in the house and the gravel under the driveway and… I can’t name just one repair that made the biggest difference for me! All the repairs have lifted my spirits and made a big difference in my sense of physical and mental wellbeing.”

Please visit our Flickr page to see photos from our RT Express projects and many other projects we’ve completed for homeowners in need. We are extremely thankful to our RT Express Team Leaders and the men and women who have made it possible to help so many seniors age safely in place.

Check out our Flickr page for more project photos.

Behind the Scenes with Lou Wood – RT-AFF Stair Lift Expert

September 23, 2020

Lou developed a process that ensures the donated stair lifts are in good working order and can be safely re-used, spending about 10 hours on each donated stair lift.

[Re]Starting Project Work

August 6, 2020

We started the process of getting back to repairs by developing a set of Worksite Safety Protocols and a COVID-19 Safety Training. Fritz Sturz, Project Repair Coordinator, put together the safety training and a professional voice-over actor donated his time to narrate the training. Eight volunteers participated in the pilot and after taking the safety training they began working in small teams at a home that is part of Operation Renewed Hope Foundation (ORHF).

The vacant house was perfect for testing our safety protocols and over the course of two weeks our volunteers repaired and replaced doors, put new balusters on the exterior deck railings so they meet code, added grab bars to the bathrooms and prepped walls for painting by a contractor. The volunteers felt comfortable with our new safeguards and were happy to be back on the job doing what they love – making homes safe and healthy.

Operation Renewed Hope Foundation provides quality housing and supportive services to veterans to break their cycle of homelessness or to prevent them from becoming homeless. A veteran family will be moving into this house in August. We are thankful for our partner Wells Fargo Foundation and their support of our work on this home.

With the successful roll-out of this project we are now organizing small teams of experienced volunteers to tackle limited repairs for homeowners with pressing health and safety concerns. If you are interested in learning more about volunteering with RT-AFF please contact Don Ryan, Director of Partnerships.

USAA Grant Funds Deep Repairs for a Veteran in Alexandria

December 20, 2018

Mr. S proudly served in the US Marine Corps in Vietnam and then spent 40 years working for the Washington Post. His wife was employed by the General Services Administration and they enjoyed being part of their community. But ten years ago Mrs. S became disabled and Mr. S retired to become her full-time care-giver. He built a wheelchair ramp so he could bring her home from rehab and then safely get her out of the house to go to doctor’s appointments. He was grateful that he could bring her home and take care of her so she didn’t have to live in a nursing home but over the years as his health declined he could no longer keep up with home repairs and the ramp had deteriorated and become unsafe. He applied to Rebuilding Together – AFF after learning about our work from a home health aide and a grant from USAA allowed us to rebuild the ramp and make extensive repairs in other areas of the couple’s home.

Twenty-nine volunteers signed on to help with the project. The first team arrived on site on a frosty morning and got right to work demolishing the old ramp. They quickly filled a 20-yard dumpster with the debris and the team leaders developed the plan to construct the new ramp. The ramp came together like clockwork in one day as the volunteers stepped into their roles. They constructed a porch deck so that Mrs. S could roll out the front door onto the ramp. Framework for the 50-foot ramp was built on the solid upright posts that Mr. S had installed 10 years ago. One team focused on cutting planks for the deck of the ramp while others screwed them down. Other volunteers puzzled through the pieces needed to make the turns so the boards on the deck of the ramp fit together as smoothly as possible. Plank by plank, screw by screw, the ramp was completed and as the sun began to set the volunteers took a brief moment to celebrate their amazing accomplishment. Mrs. S. would be able to use the ramp that night in case of an emergency. Mr. S walked up onto the ramp and gratefully said “I could never have done this myself. Thank you!”

RT-AFF Conducts AmeriCorps Member Training for RT National

October 4, 2018

RT-AFF was pleased to partner with our National Office to plan, manage and execute the 2018 AmeriCorps Members training and project days this August. RT-AFF volunteers Bard Jackson and Bob Austin joined consultant Armand Magnelli and RT-AFF staff member Don Ryan to conduct a one-day formal training in safe and healthy home repairs. They set-up hands-on work stations to demonstrate the right methods and materials for installing grab bars, gutters and downspouts, clothes dryer vents and other repairs. Behind the scenes, Marcy Bartlett, RT-AFF Director of Programs orchestrated the two day project where the AmeriCorps members would put their classroom training to work. We were fortunate that Marcy agreed to stay on for the month of August and put in a tremendous effort to make her last project for RT-AFF a successful and meaningful experience for the homeowners, AmeriCorps Members and RT-AFF volunteers. Read more

Sears Heroes@Home Volunteers Help Multi-generational Veteran Family

July 30, 2018

On July 17, 2018 Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church and Sears partnered in Alexandria to serve a multi-generational veteran family as part of the Sears Heroes at Home program. Read more

Time Flies: RT Express Teams Have Helped 75 Seniors Age in Place in Their Homes

June 13, 2018

Our vision for Rebuilding Together Express has come true: small teams of 4-5 volunteers, working 4-5 hours, and spending $400-$500 for materials are helping seniors age in place safely in their homes. We’ve refined our procedures, enlisted the help of more than 40 volunteers who want to work regularly throughout the year, and completed repairs to more than 75 homes. Read more