Letter from the Executive Director, Christina McKay
Hello, and welcome to the new website for Rebuilding Together Greater Los Angeles.
Through this website, we hope to share information as well as showcase some of the work we are doing in our local communities by and for people like you.
Our affiliate is the newest affiliate of a network of more than 225 affiliates serving local communities across our nation. Through the efforts of these affiliates and local volunteers, collectively we rehabilitate between 9 and 10,000 low-income homes and non profit facilities each year.
How do we do it? We utilize donated funds from grants, corporations and individual donations, in-kind donations of materials, volunteer labor and community support.
There are many things to consider when organizing a Rebuilding Together project since each project is tailored to the specific needs of each applicant.
We have completed six very successful projects since we started this journey the end of 2007 and will have completed ten by the end of June 08. We look forward to many years of service to the Greater Los Angeles community.
It takes a group of very dedicated individuals to put together an effective program. I am very pleased with the nine people who make up our founding board of Directors. They are very committed to the success of the new affiliate, though we still have room on the board for a few more people. We are especially searching for someone with accounting skills and we would like to have an attorney on board as well.
We are currently building our committee structure. Committees work in support of the board of directors and ensure the job gets done. We are in need of additional people to help with: Project coordination, construction (specifically how to and budget for work needed), Fundraising and in-kind donations.
Lastly, we are creating a year round Home modifications program through which, we hope to serve a greater number of low-income homeowners to ensure their safety within the home with the addition of grab-bars and other handyman type improvements that would not require a large group of volunteers. To make this program a success and to help us leverage our donated dollars, we need folks with the skills needed to install grab-bars and who would be willing to donate their time.(supplies will be provided…they just need their own tools).
As for myself, I have been working with Rebuilding Together for over six years. The first five plus years as a volunteer and eventual member of the Board of Directors for the Long Beach California affiliate. In August of 2007 I was asked to begin the new affiliate in Greater LA. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting new friends and colleagues as I learn about all of the great things happening in the LA area and also the areas of greatest need. The needs are many and I will strive to do my part, through RTGLA to tackle some of the need with regards to low income homeowners and other non profit facilities.
It has been a lot of fun, and hard work but I am happy to say that we are well on our way to creating a lasting program through which we aim to serve many homeowners in the Greater Los Angeles area. For all of the time and energy I put into the work days, and the daily goings on for the affiliate, what I get in return through friendships made and from knowing that I made a difference in someone else’s life…there truly is, no greater feeling than that! I have always felt extremely lucky to be a part of the Rebuilding Together family and I look forward to many more years of service to this amazing organization!!
If you have questions about Rebuilding Together or would like to get involved, please email us at Info@RTGLA.org
All the best,
Christina McKay – Executive Director
