Our Story

Rebuilding Together Hartford, Inc. is a nonprofit, nonsectarian, volunteer organization dedicated to helping low-income homeowners, through home renovation and repair. Our mission is to bring volunteers and communities together to improve the homes and lives of Hartford's low-income homeowners. Our vision is a safe and healthy home for every person.

Rebuilding Together Hartford is an affiliate of Rebuilding Together, a national organization dedicated to providing critical home repairs, modifications and improvements for low-income homeowners. Collectively, Rebuilding Together affiliates have completed work on more than 100,000 homes and engaged 3.4 million volunteers to deliver 1.3 billion dollars in market value since its founding in 1988.

Once a year, on the last Saturday in April, skilled and unskilled volunteers alike join together in a unique one-day event reminiscent of the barn-raising tradition of America’s past. Since 1996, the year of our first Rebuilding Day, the Hartford affiliate of Rebuilding Together has organized the work of more than 9,000 volunteers, who have repaired and revitalized more than 625 local homes and completed several community improvement projects. The estimated market value of this work exceeds 1.8 million dollars.

Hartford’s low-income population, particularly seniors, people with disabilities, and families with children, often live in deteriorating conditions. As people age, falls, injuries and greater health problems take their toll. Society pays a price in hospitalization, elder care and, most distressing, in homelessness. Many of our neighbors in Hartford have worked all their lives and have been physically and financially able to maintain their homes in good condition. Now due to illness, the loss of a spouse, aging, and/or economic hardships, they are unable to do the repair work themselves and their homes deteriorate or become unsafe.

Sponsors are given the opportunity to match the skill level of their volunteers with the work identified in a particular home. Major rehabilitation projects typically require the services of skilled trades people and experienced construction professionals. However, many of the houses need more basic home improvement work, such as painting, drywall repairs, weather stripping, caulking, new locksets, handrails, smoke detectors, and yard work, most of which is well within the ability of a “handy” man or woman working with a few other willing volunteers.

WHERE IT STARTED

Rebuilding Together Hartford, Inc. was established in 1994. We are just one of more than 150 affiliates across the country. The Rebuilding Together effort began in 1973 in Midland, Texas when a group of volunteers decided to join together to rehabilitate a home for their elderly neighbor. She declared that the level of giving and warmth extended to her on that day was "just like Christmas."