Rebuilding Together Long Island, Inc.

Retired from the business world in 2014 and have volunteered with Rebuilding Together Long Island (RTLI) for many years. Three years ago I was selected as president of RTLI and also serve as the grant writer.

A volunteer organization, we began in 1992 as Christmas in April serving struggling homeowners in the Massapequa area.  In 2000, our name was changed to Rebuilding Together Long Island to better reflect our work and the people we serve.  As an affiliate of the national organization, Rebuilding Together, our mission is repairing homes, revitalizing communities and rebuilding lives.  More importantly, we touch hearts and renew people's faith in their fellow man by showing them that their neighbor's care and are willing to lend a hand to those in need.  All volunteers, our retirees give freely of their time and their expertise to help low income homeowners who are seniors, veterans, families and those with physical limitations.  There is never a charge to those accepted into our Safe & Healthy Homes, as well as our Aging in Place programs.  Our work focuses on safety, accessibility into the home and allowing seniors to age in place.  Our work may consist of constructing wheelchair ramps, installing grab bars and smoke detectors, repairing windows and doors, installing new flooring to eliminate trip hazards, repairing sheetrock, correcting minor plumbing and electrical hazards and so much more.  Pre-Covid we were completing over 160 projects each year.  Our clients have ranged in age from 7 months old to 106 years young.