City Partners with Local Nonprofit to Help Local Residents

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Rebuilding Together Sacramento (RTS), a local nonprofit, and many generous volunteers partnered with the City of Rancho Cordova to make repairs to 21 homes of families in need. Over the past six months, repairs such as safety and accessibility enhancements like wheelchair ramps, new windows, kitchen appliances made homes safe for families who are unable to repair them on their own. The program was made possible by the city’s Community Enhancement Fund, a local half-cent sales tax measure that was approved in 2014.

One program participant, Robert Downey, who is also a retired police officer and veteran, lost his legs and arms in 2015 due to medical complications. Through this program, the city and RTS installed a new wheelchair ramp with leveled cement, a new fence in his backyard, and made electrical repairs in his home.

“This program has been a godsend for me, and I can’t say how much I appreciate what the city and Rebuilding Together Sacramento have done,” Robert said.

Another resident struggled to make improvements to her home after she retired from her job and needed to take care of her husband who became ill.

“All of the people who have worked on my home have been so kind and cheerful and never made us feel like we were just a couple of old people who couldn't do anything for ourselves. We need programs and people like this now more than ever!” she said.

When volunteers were asked why they chose to become involved with the project, one volunteer explained, “I do this because I enjoy it, and I like helping others. I also like to bring my kids with me because it keeps them active and helps build up their character.”

Some volunteers are also working towards obtaining their own contractor’s license and enjoy volunteering and learning alongside experts in their field.

As RTS finishes up with the final touches on the remaining properties, they are already gearing up to recruit more program participants. To see if you or someone you know may qualify, visit RebuildingTogetherSacramento.org.