Rebuilding Together Dayton has served the Miami Valley for nearly 30 years with home repairs for low-income seniors. On Thursday the nonprofit fixed three houses in the Edgemont neighborhood.
One of the houses the group fixed, in partnership with volunteers from Lowes, belonged to Susie Brown who has lived in the same house for over 40 years.
Brown, 85, said even though she retired after working at Miami Valley Hospital, she’s got a limited budget.
“This is my home, but they just helped me,” Brown said. “They helped with all. If it wasn’t for them, I couldn’t do it because my income is not enough to do it.”
As part of its Rebuild a Block initiative, Rebuilding Together Dayton has updated her kitchen, installed new flooring and shower. Volunteers also raked her front yard and painted her front porch railing and window shutters.
Caroline Brokaw, who manages the Seasonal Safe@Home program at the nonprofit, said she’s seen a growing need for these services.
“With a limited income they don't have the means to always do the home repairs, modifications,” Brokaw explained. “So helping with doing the repairs, it prevents further deterioration in the home and keeps them safe and healthy.”
Last year the nonprofit repaired over 140 houses. Brokaw said that work allows more seniors like Susie to stay in their homes longer.
Alejandro Figueroa is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms.
