Northwest suburbs' Rebuilding Together calls for volunteers

A Northwest suburban chapter of Rebuilding Together is asking for more referrals and more volunteers to do the work that keeps owner-occupied homes safe and habitable for the elderly, disabled and needy families.

The group, based in Arlington Heights and serving the area from Des Plaines and Wheeling on the east to Elgin on the west, has been working on 10-15 homes a year with a core group of 15 people that grows to about 50 on Work Day, coming April 28 this year.

“With this economy, we know that more people need our services more than ever, said Craig Powers, house captain coordinator for the group.

The Rebuilding Together chapter has been operating in the area for 15 years, and volunteers come from all kinds of backgrounds and professions.

Skilled tradespeople are always in demand. Nationally, Rebuilding Together draws on thousands of carpenters, plumbers, electricians, roofers and other skilled volunteers who donate their time.

Referrals come from municipalities, churches, synagogues, community organizations, service groups and individuals. The work is free for those who qualify, and homeowners and their families are welcome to work with the volunteers.

Referrals are often generated either by news releases or by distributing applications to local municipalities, churches, social service organizations and community groups.

Once referrals are made and applications reviewed, homes are evaluated by a professional home inspector or a skilled tradesperson. Selection is ultimately based on need and available resources.

The criteria for selection:

Ÿ The owner must occupy the house and plan on staying in it for at least two years. The group is not going to fix up the house only to have it sold for a nice price the next month.

Ÿ Verifiable annual income must be less than $35,000 and the owners must have limited cash assets.

Ÿ Owners must be unable to afford to have the repairs completed through any other means.

Target groups are low-income homeowners, families with children, elderly and disabled people and nonprofit facilities such as Clearbrook and Wings.

Applications that say, “Can you paint the inside of my house because I no longer like the color?” or “I would like a small room addition so I can have a place for my 12 cats” -- will be rejected.

But ones that say, “We need to have handrails and grab bars installed before the hospital will let my mother come home from rehab,” are looked at closely.

After the board decides which houses are appropriate, a work list is made up, including the value of the supplies needed and the number of volunteers required.

For each home accepted, a house captain and house liaison are assigned. Homeowners are familiarized with Rebuilding Together and assured that the work will be completed in one day and at no cost to the homeowner.

On Rebuilding Together Day, the house captain, volunteers, skilled tradespeople and able-bodied family members of the homeowners work together as they paint, plaster, replace faulty locks, drafty windows and appliances and repair unsafe electrical wiring and plumbing.

The group wants to increase its volunteer base so it can reach more people in need and also is seeking financial support to buy supplies.

Visit rebuildingtogethercares.org for more details.