Healthy, affordable, sustainable housing must be at the core of climate justice, and home repair moves us toward that goal. So, in 2023, we are going to start giving some of these reusable materials away!
With your support, we accomplished a lot in 2022! We thought you would appreciate a Progress Report on how far we’ve come!
Last year, we at ReBuilding Center shared how we can build on our strengths to help interrupt the environmental, racial, and economic injustice that continue to fuel our climate crisis. We invited you to join us in this work, and you did. Thank you!
Joyful shopping and learning experiences make ReBuilding Center a special place – for our guests, our students, our customers, and our staff, from finding exactly what you’ve been looking for (or didn’t know you needed!) to learning the practical magic of home repair. Unfortunately, it’s not always so joyful. As a result, we developed our Inclusion Policy, ensuring an environment where everyone feels safe, welcomed, and respected
Everyone who wants to learn is welcome at ReBuilding Center! Recognizing that cost may be a factor for some, we prioritized keeping our class prices low. As of November 1, we will be raising prices by $5 per class hour to cover the true costs of hosting in-person classes, to develop new classes, and to purchase safe and reliable shop tools. However, to maintain and EXTEND access to all, ReBuilding Center is proud to introduce our NEW Community Membership program.
On July 11th, ReBuilding Center partnered with the African American Alliance for Homeownership (AAAH) for our seventh annual Day of Service event. Over 40 community volunteers assisted five Black homeowners throughout North and Northeast Portland neighborhoods!
Teaming up for the fifth annual Day of Service, the ReBuilding Center and the African American Alliance for Home Ownership (AAAH) came together with volunteers to provide home repairs to a long-time homeowner in Northeast Portland. Although we were not able to serve as many homeowners as previous years, the day was just as meaningful.
Over the past few decades, the Boise neighborhood of North Portland—part of the historic heart of Portland’s Black community in the broader Albina neighborhood—has seen drastic changes to its population due in part to rising home prices and property taxes, resulting in displacement of many of the neighborhood’s Black homeowners. Surrounding neighborhoods have experienced similar changes.
The ReBuilding Center’s mission is to build community resilience by making affordable reclaimed home improvement materials and repair skills accessible to all, so people can afford to sustainably repair their homes. AAAH’s goal is help ensure home retention for existing African American homeowners in the Interstate Corridor. The Day of Service compliments the goals and missions of both organizations by providing critical home repairs to long-time homeowners in Northeast Portland, helping them continue to live safely and comfortably in their own homes. This year, we were able to serve Annie, a homeowner in Northeast Portland. Repairs included removal and repair of staircases and overgrown yard debris clean-up. While tasks were relatively small, they make a huge difference.
Annie and her son, Michael.
Annie has lived in her Northeast Portland home for over 50 years. She has raised two children in the home, and now lives there with her husband, Ross. Annie is 96 years old and grew up in a small town outside of Houston, Texas. Annie is a lover of stories, and spent some time reflecting on her experience growing up in the South and being a Black woman living in Portland. The common thread of her stories is one of heart and resilience. Annie has spent her retired life volunteering for organizations, such as Self Enhancement, Inc., and attends church regularly. She looks forward to returning to these activities once it is safe to do so.
Year after year, the Day of Service exceeds our expectations of what can be accomplished in one big day of repairs and community building. A huge thank you to every volunteer and organization involved this year. The 2020 Day of Service was sponsored by Consolidated Community Credit Union.
And finally, check out more photos from the day!
2019 Day of Service Volunteers
Teaming up for the fourth annual Day of Service, the ReBuilding Center and the African American Alliance for Home Ownership came together with over 40 volunteers to provide home repairs for low-income and long-time homeowners in North and Northeast Portland.
Over the past few decades, the Boise neighborhood of North Portland—part of the historic heart of Portland’s Black community in the broader Albina neighborhood—has seen drastic changes to its population. According to the US Census Bureau, Boise’s Black population fell from 84% in 1970 to 26% in 2010 to an estimated 14.4% as of 2017. Median incomes have increased by over 20% since 2000, and the median home price has risen from around $200,000 in 2010 to about $460,000 in 2017. Surrounding neighborhoods have experienced similar changes.
The ReBuilding Center opened on North Mississippi Avenue in 2000 with a mission to build community resilience by making affordable reclaimed home improvement materials and repair skills accessible to all. The Day of Service lives into this mission by providing home repairs to homeowners who are unable to perform or pay for the repairs independently. Over the past few years, the ReBuilding Center has seen these improvements help homeowners maintain and secure their homes in ever-changing neighborhoods.
This year, we served nine homeowners in North and Northeast Portland. Repairs included removal and repair of staircases, overgrown yard debris clean-up, lighting repairs, washer replacements, and so much more. While tasks were relatively small, they make a huge difference.
Charlene has lived in her North Portland home for 44 years. She reflected on the changes in the neighborhood and the effects they have: “I can’t afford to stay and I can’t afford to leave. I am stuck, but I am very appreciative of the work the Day of Service provides. It makes it easier.” This was the second year, we were able to provide repairs to Charlene’s home. This year we assisted Charlene by replacing old light fixtures and rebuilding rotting stairs.
Just a few blocks over, we assisted Robert with a sink replacement and fence repairs. Robert expressed similar sentiments as Charlene. He joked, “I’ve been here too long,” before revealing that he has lived in his home in North Portland for 33 years, but has lived in the neighborhood his entire life. Robert is a long-time ReBuilding Center customer, but is no longer able to complete many of his own repairs. He expressed gratitude for the work that was being completed and explained how he keeps a positive attitude, despite hardships: “There is no need to worry about yesterday. As long as I wake up today, that is all that matters. That is what I focus on.”
Year after year, the Day of Service, exceeds our expectations of what can be accomplished in one big day of repairs and community building. A huge thank you to every volunteer and organization involved this year. The 2019 Day of Service was sponsored by Lovett Deconstruction, Neil Kelly Company, Otis Construction, Inc., and Portland Water Bureau. Additionally, the Community Energy Project was a new service provider partner this year.
And finally, check out more photos from the day!
If you would like to be involved in next year’s Day of Service, sign up for our newsletter and keep an eye out for updates!
By: Susan Hopkins
An August highlight for the Rebuilding Center is our third annual Day of Service. Volunteers get to meet other Portlanders and work on homes in our local neighborhoods, doing minor home repairs for long-time homeowners in the North and inner Northeast neighborhoods.
On Saturday, August 11, the ReBuilding Center joins with the African American Alliance for Homeownership to bring the community an annual Day of Service, offering minor repairs to eight neighborhood homeowners. These services are provided to our neighbors who are at risk of being displaced from their homes due to their need for repairs. Volunteers tackle a wide range of projects:
Removal and repair of rotting stairs
Demo and re-pouring of concrete stairs
Cleaning up overgrown yards
Installation of handrails
Mending fence boards
Sink installation
Door hanging
Painting houses
We provide pastries and coffee in the morning to get everyone started off strong, along with a lunch provided at ReBuilding Center at noon, celebrating with a happy hour with discounted drinks at a local venue at the end of this important day.
This is an excellent opportunity for volunteers with prior building experience to apply their expertise to a great cause, or for those who want to learn DIY skills. These volunteers are interested in pitching in on a Day of Service team to build a healthier and more vibrant community.
A special thank you to Columbia Bank, Wells Fargo, and StormBreaker Brewing for partnering with us on this event!
