Bill Marshall’s Impact at Rebuilding Together AFF

After retiring from a successful home-building career, Bill Marshall was eager for a new way to channel his energy and expertise. He found the perfect fit with Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church (RT-AFF) through Volunteer Arlington and quickly became a dedicated member of our Rebuilding Together Express (RT Express) program. Bill’s extensive background in construction and business management made an immediate difference and he became an active member of our Board of Directors as well as Chair of the Program Committee. During his six-year tenure on the Board, he played a vital role in shaping RT-AFF’s repair and modification initiatives.

“Bill was instrumental in leading RT-AFF’s repair program through the pandemic,” said Executive Director Patti Klein. “He worked in partnership with staff to develop a solid plan to implement COVID safety protocols, allowing a small group of our most experienced RT Express volunteers to continue making critical home repairs for those in need.”

Beyond his leadership on the board, Bill has worked on more than 120 homes, improving the lives of countless neighbors. He has also designed and led teams in building more than 15 wheelchair ramps—one of the most transformative modifications for homeowners with mobility challenges.

Bill was especially touched by a project he led in Arlington, where a team of volunteers modified a bathroom in a small home to make it fully accessible for twins with disabilities. This transformation gave them the independence to use the bathroom on their own as they grew into their teen years.

Reflecting on his service, Bill shared, “I am grateful for my time on the RT-AFF board. My experience running my own construction business and serving on other boards allowed me to contribute meaningfully. The Jesuits in high school instilled in me the belief that we should be ‘men (and women) for others,’ and I’m proud to uphold that value with this incredible organization.”

Though stepping down from the board, Bill remains deeply committed to RT-AFF’s mission. As an RT Express team leader, he’s continuing to roll up his sleeves to help homeowners in need. “It’s amazing what a small group of volunteers can accomplish in just a few hours with a few hundred dollars in materials,” he said. “I’m constantly impressed by the impact we make, the camaraderie we share, and the dedication of everyone involved.”

We are incredibly grateful for Bill’s leadership and ongoing contributions. His work continues to make a lasting difference, and we look forward to seeing him in action with our RT Express program for years to come.

 

Celebrating our 500th Rebuilding Together Express Project

Volunteers with homeowner on stepsRebuilding Together-AFF recently celebrated the completion of its 500th RT Express project, a significant milestone for a program that now makes up two-thirds of our total work. The steady need for repairs within our standard RT Express service list has not only allowed us to assist more homeowners but has also helped us build a dedicated base of individual volunteers. These volunteers contribute regularly and continually hone their skills, becoming highly proficient in delivering our most common repairs.

In 2014, we faced a pressing challenge: many homeowners in need of minor repairs and safety modifications couldn’t wait months for National Rebuilding Day or for a match with a corporate team. Recognizing the urgency, we used seed funding from The Falls Church Episcopal to develop a faster, more efficient solution. With additional support from the Northern Virginia Health Foundation, we defined, tested, and refined what became Rebuilding Together Express (RT Express)—a program designed to deliver essential health and safety repairs and accessibility modifications for people with disabilities and older people who want to age in place.

How RT Express Works:

Small teams of 4-5 volunteers dedicate 4-5 hours and about $400-$500 in materials to provide a range of approximately 40 common home modifications and repairs. These repairs are tailored to each homeowner’s needs and based on a thorough assessment of the home. RT Express enables Rebuilding Together-AFF to respond more quickly to homeowners facing urgent risks, such as falls or other safety concerns.

The Key to Success: Volunteer Team Leaders

Our volunteer team leaders are the cornerstone of RT Express. They:

  • Conduct home assessments with staff.
  • Develop realistic scopes of work.
  • Purchase materials and assemble tools.
  • Coordinate repairs while ensuring safety for both homeowners and volunteers.
  • Track project outcomes.

After years of relying on six dedicated team leaders, we expanded their ranks to 10 in early 2024, ensuring we can meet growing demand. Our Team Leaders are pictured above.

Recognition and Growth:

In 2018, RT-AFF earned the Commonwealth Council on Aging’s top statewide Best Practices Award for RT Express. Since then, we’ve expanded the program to include additional services such as installing stairlifts and building wheelchair ramps.

Our volunteers describe RT Express projects as deeply fulfilling, while the homeowners we serve express their gratitude with heartfelt hugs and words of appreciation.

Multi-year sponsorships by West Financial Services and Sandy Spring Bank have sustained RT Express and supported its steady growth. 

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2024 in Review

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible volunteers, partners, and donors for making our 2024 fiscal year a resounding success. Together, we are building safer, more affordable, and thriving communities for neighbors in need.

In FY2023, our volunteers contributed an astounding 6,200 hours to complete 117 projects, benefiting 176 individuals living in 110 homes and supporting six non-profit housing organizations. The value of this donated labor amounts to $361,800.

Remarkably, 93% of the households we assisted qualify as Very Low or Extremely Low income—families, older adults and people with disabilities who could never afford these essential repairs and modifications without your support.

We couldn’t achieve this impact without you. Take a moment to explore our Year in Review and see how your contributions—whether time, funds, or partnerships—are transforming lives and creating a lasting community impact.

Here’s to another year of meaningful change, together!


 

2023 Year in Review

We want to thank all of our amazing volunteers, partners and donors for helping us make our 2023 fiscal year a great success. Together we are contributing to the solution for safe, affordable and thriving communities for our neighbors in need. Our in FY2023 our volunteers gave 6,924 hours to help us complete 117 projects. We assisted 181 people living in 110 homes, and seven non-profit housing organizations. Our volunteers’ donated labor is valued at $356,134.

85% of the households we helped last year qualify as Very Low or Extremely Low income and could never afford these vital repairs and modifications on their own. We truly could not do this without your support.  Please take a few minutes to read our Year in Review to see how our services have touched many lives this past year and how the efforts of our volunteers, donors and partners add up to a significant community impact. We look forward to another successful year!

 

Rebuilding Together-AFF in the Golden Gazette

The Golden Gazette published a story about RT-AFF in their September issue. This kind of story helps us reach more neighbors in need who can benefit from our repairs and modifications, and helps us recruit new volunteers and supporters. Click the photo to read the article.

 

 

The Golden Gazette is a free monthly community newsletter published by Fairfax County Department of Family Services – Older Adults. The newsletter covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers. You can subscribe to the email version or have a paper copy mailed to your home (click to visit their website).

2022 Year in Review

All of us at Rebuilding Together Arlington/ Fairfax/ Falls Church want to express our deepest appreciation for our supporters and volunteers who make our work possible. In 2022, our volunteers gave 6,924 hours to help us complete 109 projects (100 homes and 9 nonprofits). That amounts to $365,312 in donated labor.

83% of the households we help qualify as Very Low or Extremely Low income and could never afford these vital repairs and modifications on their own. We truly could not do this without your support.  Please take a few minutes to read our Year in Review to see how our services have touched many lives this past year and how the efforts of our volunteers, donors and partners add up to a significant community impact. We look forward to another successful year!

Year in Review 2022

Bob Austin Head shot

Bob Austin Receives 2022 Privilege Award

Bob Austin, a longtime Rebuilding Together-AFF volunteer was honored with the Bernie L. Bates Foundation Privilege Award for 2022. This is the highest form of recognition bestowed by the Board of Directors of the Foundation and was presented to Bob for his outstanding service to the Fairfax County community. This year’s award recognizes a person who most closely follows the tenets and principals practiced by the late Col. (Ret.) Marion “Barney” Barnwell. Barney served on the RT-AFF board and served as a House Captain for more than 30 National Rebuilding Day projects. Barney consistently demonstrated his passion to “pay it forward” through his community involvement and volunteerism.

Bob’s lifelong service to others epitomizes the example that Barney set for us all in helping others at every opportunity.

Bob started volunteering with us 18 years ago as a member of his church team for National Rebuilding Day. After retiring he joined our pool of skilled individual volunteers and started volunteering with us year-round.

Bob’s skills and savvy home remodeling skills and his desire to do more prompted him to become a Rebuilding Together Express team leader to help low-income seniors continue to live safely in their homes. As a member of the Rebuilding Together AFF Program Committee, Bob helped develop Worksite Safety COVID-19 Protocols to keep our clients and volunteers safe – and allow our small teams to continue working through the pandemic to help those at great risk of health and safety hazards in their homes. Over the past five years Bob has led or worked on more than 75 projects and was one of a handful of volunteers who worked tirelessly through the pandemic. This past year Bob and our other RT Express Team Leaders were recognized by Volunteer Fairfax as Social Advocacy Group of the Year.

In keeping with the inspiring example that Barney set, Bob exemplifies the meaning of volunteerism through the amazing work he does with Rebuilding Together and for so many other community groups including co-chairing a co-op that provides food to over 200 families each month and picking up 2,000 pounds of food each week. He is actively involved in the Fairfax County Faith Community in Action volunteer program, a trustee and building manager for a nonprofit on the Rt. 1 Corridor and volunteers with several other groups. We are very fortunate that Bob lives in our community and takes the time and effort to make a tangible difference for those in need.

We offer our most sincere congratulations and thanks to Bob.

 

Volunteers working on roof

Our Year in Review

All of us at Rebuilding Together Arlington/ Fairfax/ Falls Church want to express our deepest appreciation for our supporters and volunteers who have made our work possible, even during such challenging times. In 2021, our volunteers gave 3,200 hours to help us complete 89 projects (86 houses and 3 nonprofits). That amounts to $209,000 in donated labor!

80% of the households we help qualify as Very Low or Extremely Low income and could never afford these vital repairs and modifications on their own. We truly could not do this without your support.  Please take a few minutes to watch our video and read our Year in Review to see how our services have touched many lives this past year and how the efforts of our volunteers, donors and partners add up to a significant community impact. We look forward to another successful year!

Click on the images below to open our Year in Review and to view our slideshow:
Year in Review

 

 

Installing a railing

Celebrating our 218th RT Express Project!

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.

Railings, Half steps, Grab Bars

Grab bars, railings, dryer vents

Lou at work

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

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.

Read more