April 8, 2005

Rebuilding Together 2005

By District 8 Councilmember Dave Cortese
Special to the Times

I am pleased to support Rebuilding Together, a wonderful organization that my office has worked with to provide home rehabilitative services since 2001.

Rebuilding Together, formerly known as “Christmas in April,” is a community-based nonprofit organization that assists low-income homeowners in much needed home repairs. The organization works throughout the year to obtain corporate sponsorships and grants to fund their operations.

Meanwhile, homeowners apply to see if their homes qualify for assistance. Once Rebuilding Together selects the homes to assist, a team is assigned to each home to evaluate what the needs are, in terms of materials, and how many people are needed at the site to perform skilled and unskilled labor.

The work is actually performed on two Saturdays in April, and throughout the county, there are several homes being repaired, renovated and painted at the same time. Locally, three homes have been chosen in or near Evergreen in the 95121, 95122 and 95138 zip codes.

Volunteers are currently being assembled. No amount of time is too little and no task is too small. Typically there are professional and non-professional painters, carpenters, plumbers and landscapers.

In past years I have painted, pulled weeds and collected trash around each home. Each and every person is valuable and necessary to complete the project over a period of just two weekends.

I am always taken aback by the sincere gratitude each homeowner shows upon the completion of our project. It is truly wonderful to be there when the homeowner realizes the magnitude of what’s going on.

For my staff and me just to be there with the many volunteers is incredible! In the past years I have had the good fortune of working with many community groups and volunteers from youth organizations, high tech companies and St. Francis of Assisi Parish located here in Evergreen.

I encourage everyone to get involved in this truly rewarding cause. Not only will you be beautifying your neighborhood, the camaraderie among the workers will be a lifelong experience.

It is amazing to witness just what can happen when the community gets involved and works together to make changes. There are opportunities to volunteer this month at various locations, and my office will be sponsoring the rehabilitation of a home this fall.

I believe wholeheartedly in the efforts of Rebuilding Together and realize the importance of beautiful neighborhoods. Each year the program restores hope and pride in the oldest neighborhoods that need it the most. I know that together we are doing something great for the local community—one home at a time.

To find out if your home is eligible, obtain additional information or to volunteer, please visit the Rebuilding Together Web site at www.rebuildingtogether-sv.org or call (408) 578-9519 or contact my office at (408) 277-5242 or Dave.Cortese@sanjoseca.gov.