Do you ever watch HGTV or Wheel of Fortune? If you do you may have seen the results of the national advertising partnership between these television icons and Rebuilding Together. Rebuilding Together is a national organization of local chapters dedicated to providing Safe and Healthy Housing. Partnerships with Lowe’s, Sears, Maxwell House and many more national companies are a credit to the success of the local chapters and the great work being done. In Newport County the record of helping those in need is truly touching. Since 2002 the local chapter has been changing the lives of local elderly and handicapped homeowners that were is serious risk of loosing there homes. In 2010 the local chapter saved a handicapped woman’s home on Channing Street by completely rebuilding the damaged front porch, rebuilding the kitchen and bathroom, replacing the heating system, and supplying the home with new appliances. All the work was done by volunteers!
The spirit that drives the local chapter was in full display when many of the local group’s volunteers traveled to New Orleans this past year to assist in the Rebuilding Together commitment to rebuild 1000 homes for Hurricane Katrina victims since the Gulf disaster. Among the volunteers were Sharon Vincelette and Cam McKenny, both of Newport. Sharon, Cam, and their grouped worked through pouring rain and terrible heat to help change the desperate lives the nation witnessed on the nightly news.
The Rebuilding Together volunteers that complete our local projects and helped repair the neighborhoods of New Orleans are both skilled and unskilled. The local projects are overseen by a board of directors led by Susan McCoy. The board fundraises and selects the projects. A house captain or project captain volunteer is assigned to each project. The captain coordinates skilled labor volunteers to handle the technical work. The captain also coordinates non-skilled labor to assist the skilled leaders.
An obvious key to the success of the Rebuilding Together mission is participation by the skilled tradesman of Newport County. The number of contractors, carpenters, painters, electricians, plumbers, and many others that have turned out to lead our work groups has been astonishing. In 2010 and 2011 the group completed six significant projects including two residential homeowner rebuilds. The tireless leadership of Pat McGrath of Patrick’s Residential Management and Services has been a key. Significant time and effort has been contributed by many other skilled tradesmen but our tireless leader has been Pat.
Since 2002 Greater Newport County Chapter has completed over 25 projects and greatly improved the homes and lives of hundreds of our neighbors. The projects include residential homes, shelters, municipal buildings that serve our target groups, and special projects. The local chapter will continue to provide help to our neighbors by combining fundraising and volunteerism.
Rebuilding Together
is a Safe and Healthy Housing Organization with a Strong Volunteer Platform
Join Rebuilding Together today! Call Jack at 401-829-1601
(Article and Photos contributed by Jack McVicker)
Public Health & Safety
Why is Public Health & Safety important for a livable Newport?
The "livability" of a city or town starts with a basic need to feel safe. This includes the prevention of and protection from events that could endanger the safety of the general public. It also includes the deterrence of lesser transgressions such as litter and graffiti that affect our quality of life.
