Volunteers Join Forces to Help Resident in Need Through Partnership with Rebuilding Together

Today, "National Rebuilding Day," volunteers from one of the largest groups of young construction professionals partnered with another community organization to help a 80-year-old Chicago Resident continue to live in safety and independence.

The Chicagoland Associated General Contractors' (CAGC) Construction Leadership Council (CLC) partnered with Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago for this year's National Rebuilding Day. The nation-wide event supports Rebuilding's mission to repair homes, revitalize communities, and rebuild lives.

Anthony Alleman, Project Executive for Pepper Construction Company in Chicago and a member of the CAGC, helped organize the event and oversee the repair work. "This was a collaborative effort involving nearly 25 volunteers from the CAGC, over half a dozen union plumbers, electricians, and carpenters, and board and staff of Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago," explained Alleman. "Everyone worked tirelessly from early this morning to late in the afternoon to make critical repairs to this individual's home free of charge. It is truly what charity is all about," added Alleman.

The CAGC's Construction Leadership Council (CLC) provides opportunities for the industry's rising leaders to increase involvement through various leadership development programs and philanthropic events. Executive Director for the Chicagoland Associated General Contractors, Daniel McLaughlin, hopes these kinds of opportunities will bring more young people into the industry. "The construction industry, especially commercial construction, has changed dramatically over the past few decades. But it is no secret there is a major labor shortage in the industry and those of us in the commercial construction business need to do all we can to attract young people to consider a career in construction," stated McLaughlin.

Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago, an affiliate of Rebuilding Together, Inc., works to make a sustainable impact in partnership with communities, while improving the homes and neighborhoods of residents in need so they may continue to live in warmth, safety and comfort. Since its inception in 1991, Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago has repaired over 1,600 homes and 250 nonprofit facilities in the Chicagoland area.

Rebuilding Together is a leading national nonprofit organization with a mission to revitalize our communities. Each year, Rebuilding Together affiliates and nearly 100,000 volunteers repair 10,000 homes across the country. For more information, visit www.rebuildingtogether-chi.com.

Alleman believes highlighting events like this will bring much-needed attention to those in need. "CAGC values safety, community, and education. For these reasons, we were proud to sponsor this restoration project bringing people together and giving volunteers a hands-on learning experience in quality construction."

For more information about today's event, please contact Hilary Korabik by email at hkorabik@chicagolandagc.org.