"Being part of the Rebuilding Together program helps me believe that there is
more good than bad in the world."
Homeowner Carol Belton

RESOURCE GUIDE

Because of our limited resources, RTP is not able to help all of the homeowners that apply for our program each year. This Resource Guide has contact information for other local agencies that may be able to help.

The typical RTP volunteer returns year after year energized by the connection he or she develops with the homeowners and their families. 

THE GODDARD FAMILY — 2010 RTP HOMEOWNERS

Marie Goddard relocated her family to Philadelphia after Hurricane Katrina. She is a single mother of five (two biological and three are her sister's). Every day is a juggling act: trying to maintain a car that is constantly on the blink, but necessary for getting to work and doctors' appointments; trying to undertake home repairs; and searching for services to support her children, including karate for self discipline. Given her approach to life, it's not surprising that Marie soaked up the information that RTP volunteer Scott Wootten offered while doing the home evaluation. She has said, "He made me feel so much better about the house and its condition. I feel more confident that I will be able to care for it myself."

Scott is now a fan. "It was a pleasure to work with Marie Goddard and her family.  Marie is a strong woman with the ability overcome adversity, manage a career, and handle an extended family as well as the courage to jump into homeownership.  Our team (W.L. Gore Associates, Inc. employees) was glad to help by making needed repairs to her "fixer-upper." We hope the Goddards will enjoy the energy savings and warmth provided by new doors, better insulation, repaired heater ducts, and general improvements to the interior and exterior of their home.  We were happy to have the opportunity to work side by side with Marie and her family.  Even the youngest kids got involved with painting the porch and railings!"

The Goddard family came to RTP's attention via sponsor Columbia Bank via the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation with which she is involved because her daughter (who has since passed away) was diagnosed with a rare cancer. Through her speaking engagements as well as a blog about her daughter and dealing with her illness and death, Marie has been an inspiration and support for other families.

THE PUGHS — 2010 RTP HOMEOWNERS

Mamie Pugh and her daughter-in-law Sandra Smith Pugh are close friends as well as neighbors in the Wister section of Germantown. Unfortunately, Mamie doesn't go down the block to Sandra's very often, “I'm on oxygen so it's difficult for me.” But she says, “Sandra comes over to visit me all of the time. She'll cut flowers and bring them to me.” As a Committee person and active citizen, Sandra can often be seen doing something for someone else. She says the RTP volunteers are “heaven sent,” but knows that RTP was introduced to the block via Wister Neighborhood Council, a NAC (Neighborhood Advisory Committee) that has supported the community since 1949.

By the end of this special Block Build (in June) sponsored by Popular Mechanics, everyone on the block will be affected in some tangible and meaningful way in addition to receiving tools and educational information that will help them maintain the energy-efficient improvements. As two of the featured homeowners, however, work done for Mamie and Sandra Pugh will be significant.

Much of the work that will be done for Mamie, a senior citizen, is necessary because of her need for home modifications as well as the need to reduce her energy consumption, therefore her energy costs, which are difficult to manage on a fixed income. A solar hot water heater is being installed this weekend. Later this spring, volunteers will update a bathroom beside Mamie's kitchen so that she doesn't have to walk up the stairs, which are inherently difficult for her to navigate. She will receive new insulation, substantial electrical work, new doors, energy-efficient appliances, and her windows will be caulked in order to minimize the air that is constantly escaping now.

Volunteers will work on projects both inside and outside Sandra's house. Interior projects include installation of ceiling fans, LED and/or CFL lighting, and a programmable thermostat. Outside, volunteers will take advantage of her yard and support Sandra in her love of flowers by putting in rain barrels and a composter. Sandra works as a housekeeper, but says that she's not handy. We'll check on her in a few months and see just how much her skills have developed under the tutelage of the volunteers.

Mamie Pugh found about this opportunity when she found an application that was slipped through her door. “At first I didn't know what to think. Then I kept reading and reading and then I thought, 'I'll give it a try.'” Lucky for Mamie, she took a chance.

AKILAH BEY — 2009 RTP HOMEOWNER

November 7, 2007 is a date that Akilah Bey will remember forever. On that day, a construction accident on her block caused a flood in her house. Ms. Bey reported that the firefighters told her there was so much water in her house that she could fill a swimming pool. The flood forced her to leave her home and live with her granddaughter. Ms. Bey learned about RTP from a neighbor more than a year later. Hopeful, she completed an application. RTP volunteers from Honeywell, Bike and Build, and our dedicated volunteer Phil Allen made essential home repairs as part of the Spring 2009 Germantown Block Build, and soon after Ms. Bey returned to her home. Recounting her experience with RTP, Ms. Bey reports that the volunteers who helped her were, “a blessing…a godsend.” She is grateful for the improvements, including installation of a new heating system, hot water heater, and electricity panel; repair of two bedrooms, general floor repairs, and cleaning the basement affected by the flood. Ms. Bey grew up in North Philadelphia. She has spent her adult life in the Germantown/Mt. Airy section of the City. She has physical disabilities and could not have done any of this work without the assistance of RTP volunteers.

KENNETH HAINES — 2008 RTP HOMEOWNER

When RTP was first introduced to Kenneth Haines, he slept right down the hall from his childhood bedroom complete with the original cowboy mural. He was born and raised in the house in North Philadelphia and moved away to serve in the Navy during the Vietnam Conflict. According to Kenneth when he returned, “the City had changed and the economy had dissolved.” Times were hard and then his mother, Kathryn, became ill. When she died in 1994, she left the home to Kenneth. He called it his “pink elephant,” a special unexpected gift.

Time had taken its toll, and the home was in need of repair, including a new roof as well as wall and ceiling repair. In the spring of 2008, RTP and a team from Keystone Mercy Health Plan worked alongside Kenneth to complete these crucial repairs to his home. Kenneth explains, “My mom always told me to keep a roof over my head. And that's what I need right now. I am glad this work will be done. It's incentive to get done what I need to in my house, something I want to do anyways, and to do my part in it, too.”

Jeanie Heffernan, house captain and long-time RTP volunteer spoke with Kenneth several times before the house management team began its work in order to have a firm plan for the work to be accomplished. According to Jeanie, “Keystone Mercy Health Plan had a team of 20 plus associates who volunteered for this great cause and were ready, willing, and able to partner with Ken on this work. We were so excited about this project and really enjoyed seeing the culmination of our work.” After all the work was through Kenneth's cowboy mural remained; and so did many warm memories—some very old and some brand new.

MARTIN MARGOLIN — 2008 RTP HOMEOWNER

RTP's work for Martin Margolin reflected how changing someone's environment can have a positive effect on one's interactions with people. Martin grew up in South Philadelphia in the neighborhood where he lives today. He served in the Air force in the Korean War. He lives by himself and faces health issues and physical pain on a daily basis. At first, like so many RTP homeowners, Martin was nervous about letting volunteers into his home.

After initial meetings, Martin became more comfortable with the volunteers and began to assert his particular needs. RTP volunteers did a significant amount of work on his house, from deep cleaning to fixing toilets and painting. They installed a new refrigerator and all new windows.

House Captain Debra Blum talked about her experience. “When I saw the extent of the work that needed to be done, and Martin's needs, I was a little worried that my volunteer group 'parachuting in' to work for one day wouldn't be enough. Not only were there skilled volunteers there to complement our efforts, but also Rebuilding Together made sure that all of the projects were finished, and the Stiffel Center [the neighborhood community center] continues to reach out to Martin.”

After the RTP project, Martin became a regular visitor of the Stiffel Center. He comes for a hot lunch daily and is taking advantage of the healthcare services and other activities offered.

Side note: originally the South Philadelphia Block Build sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia was to help ten homeowners. Martin Margolin became the 11th homeowner after staff at the Stiffel Center discovered Martin and asked for him to be included in the program.

THE SPICERS — 2005 RTP HOMEOWNERS

Sandy and Garnet Spicer were sorely in need of a new roof on the Southwest Philadelphia home where they have lived for 20 years. Every time it rained, they brought out the buckets and umbrellas so they could stay somewhat dry. The Spicers are not only RTP homeowners, but also Community Partners. As the founders of Families are Victims Too, they have been working closely with RTP volunteers to transform an abandoned house into the offices for their community support center.

“Living out loud” describes the Spicers' philosophy of life. They exude wisdom and vitality. Although they have been married for 37 years, they act like newlyweds and still discover new things about each other every day. Garnet is the “MacGyver” of the pair, putting his experience in construction and as a mechanic to extensive use in the rehabilitation project. Sandy is the “people person,” on call 24/7 to counsel grieving families, organize outings for neighborhood youth, or connect young adults to summer jobs. Or is it Garnet who is the people person? He is eloquent on the subject of the conditions of the neighborhood and inspires all who listen to take action to help prevent youth violence. Having lost two sons and a daughter to street crime, their insight comes from firsthand experience of the resulting sadness, fear, confusion, and anger. Recognizing that meaningful interaction and community involvement are necessary to the healing process, they have created a program that uses a holistic approach to healing.

THE MCCUES – 2002 RTP HOMEOWNERS

Former police lieutenant Joe McCue is living with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSD). He needs to use a wheelchair to get around, which is especially difficult because his home in Glenside is 10 feet above street level. To add “insult to injury,” prior to becoming a RTP homeowner, the McCues' home had been heavily damaged by one of the tropical storms that swept through the area. The economic and emotional impact of RSD as well as the flood damage pushed Joe, his wife Dawn, and two teenage children to their limits.

To help the McCues, RTP volunteers built an accessibility ramp to circumvent the ten-foot drop to the street. They raised the front porch so that it became level with the front door. They patched and painted to offset water damage, landscaped the yard, and made the back garden an accessible respite on sunny days. Joe can now move around his property and come and go from the house without relying on his family for assistance. This is particularly important because Joe is a very active member of the community. He raises awareness of RSD on a national level and testifies on the legitimate and responsible use of drugs by people experiencing chronic pain.

"They all worked so hard and whistled and had fun while helping us. I can't come up with a word to show how thankful we are, however, we are overwhelmed at the kindness we have seen."
Homeowner Joe McCue

Read about more homeowners.

Interested in receiving an application?  Call 215.568.5044 or download one here.