May 25, 2004

Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley

Evergreen homeowner gets new lease on life

About 25 parishioners from St. Francis of Assisi and members of Councilmember Dave Cortese’s office staff recently teamed up to refurbish a home on Brahms Avenue in District 8 as part of Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley. This is the second year they have partnered in the effort.

Rebuilding Together is a nationwide organization that transforms the homes of families who cannot do so on their own. In Silicon Valley, the Evergreen-based community members joined 1,600 volunteers to repair 31 South Bay homes, free of charge. Their efforts ensured that low-income, elderly and physically challenged homeowners could live in warmth, safety and independence.

In addition to the work provided, all materials are either donated by businesses and individuals or paid for by Rebuilding Together.

Volunteers working on the interior of the Brahms Avenue home totally repaired a bathroom, walls, doors, electrical wiring and outlets before painting the walls. On the exterior, the volunteers repaired the outer walls and painted the outside of the house. They also completed a significant amount of yard maintenance.

Although many of the volunteers sacrificed two full days of labor for this project, St. Francis of Assisi parishioner Marcos Herrera said the payoff was to see the happiness of the family once the work was completed.

When asked about the two days of work he contributed, Herrera answered, “I’m usually one of the last to leave on the second Saturday. Saying goodbye to the homeowner is always special as they try to express their gratitude and thanks for the effort of all the volunteers. In reality, allowing us to help them is the real gift.”

Beverly Jackson, executive director of Rebuilding Together, Silicon Valley, added, “The repairs and improvements they provide transform not only homes, but the lives of the people who benefit from their hard work. Each year, we see amazing gifts of love and compassion as we watch both volunteers and residents who are touched and changed by this tremendous experience.”

Founded in 1991, Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley has rehabilitated more than 260 homes and facilities. For more information about Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley, visit the Web site at www.rebuildingtogether-sv.org or call (408) 578-9519.