Mr. and Ms. H came to RTWC through Washington County Disabilities, Aging, and Veterans Services (DAVS) agency. Ms. H cannot shower by herself or get her self up or down. Relying on a walker or cane and her husband, who has his own physical limitations, daily life can sometimes be a struggle. The H-es are a lively and optimistic couple, but they needed some help. They worked with DAVS to help with necessary care services.
Even with the support of the case workers at DAVS, the H-es home continued to created struggles. Mr. H was lifting his wife several times a day so she could take a shower and use the toilet, despite his own disabilities. He has his own disabilities and taking care of Mrs. H was becoming more of a challenge every day.
“After about noon, her joints hurt and she relies more on the walker.By the end of the day, she’s exhausted and loses her balance easy. I worry that she’ll fall and hurt herself even more. This would lead to more physical limitations, more doctors visits, and more medical bills.” ~ Mr. H
DAVS contacted RTWC. Staff and volunteers made a number of repairs and modifications, including installing grab bars in the bathroom and a new ramp in and out of the home.
Mrs. H was happy to talk saying, “I love your program. It was beyond a perfect experience.” These small modifications meant so much to them, and they are so grateful for DAVS and RTWC working together to help them. This partnership kept them from moving into a permanent care facility.
Many of us take a safe entry in and out of our homes for granted but Ms. H falling on her way in and out of her home was a constant concern. She had fallen and hurt herself previously, and the stairs needed repaired and the distance from the stairs to the sidewalk was a tripping hazard. A simple fall for her could mean a broken back, neck, and wrist. RTWC staff and volunteers immediately responded and replaced the front steps and placed pavers to the sidewalk so she could walk steadily without the fear of falling. Asking for help was a hard and humbling experience for Ms. H but she is glad she did. The new stairs and walkway and the bathroom grab bars gave Ms. H peace of mind.
Even with all the work that RTWC staff and volunteers completed, they left knowing there was more to do. The biggest concern was the siding that had split enough that bugs, spiders, and mice were getting into her mobile home too freely. Thankfully, the Tualatin Rotary has stepped up and is contributing to the siding repair and paint project on Ms. H’s home. This is not work that Ms. H is able to complete on her own and she is so grateful for the support. She feels truly blessed by all the help and is glad people understand the need, not just for her, but throughout the community,
Ms. M. is an elderly homeowner who had her mobile home painted, her gutters cleaned, and had her hand rails repaired and tightened on both porches. She shared, “I could have never done this work. It put a new lease on my life. It made me feel there are so many wonderful people out there.”
She said, “My experience was overwhelming to know so many people could be so caring and willing to work so hard and make my house feel special. To live in it is so beautiful [.] Thank you goes out to those who helped to make me so joyful and happy. My best to you all, thank you!”
Rebuilding Together Washington County (RTWC) is starting its year off the same way it has for the past 20 years, preparing for National Rebuilding Day. Over the years, we have helped keep hundreds of local families safe, warm, dry, and living in their own homes by providing free home repairs.
About five years ago, Pat invited a friend to join him on a project for the day. Volunteers were helping a family of 6 make repairs to their single-wide mobile home in Cornelius. The home was bursting at the seams in people, and was in need of so much work. On National Rebuilding Day, volunteers were able to make a number of repairs to the home, including: fixing the kitchen plumbing, repairing a roof, and completely removing contaminants of a bedroom. The bedroom needed to be cleaned so one of the four daughters could come home from the hospital. The friend was glad to be able to help this family, but was surprised and shocked that anyone would choose to live in the conditions that this family was experiencing.
an address had, because he had never been near homelessness. After 20 years of volunteering with RTWC he has seen that even living in a home with no hot water, a leaky roof, and holes in the floor, is better than living on the street. He has seen that providing any stable roof for a family can be a real challenge, and is an accomplishment for the people RTWC serves, some of the financially poorest in Washington County. Thanks to Bob, Pat volunteers, donates, and champions for Rebuilding Together Washington County and the homeowners it serves because he has seen how hard they work, how proud they are of their homes, and the difference a couple dollars and a few hours of service can make on a home.