Raising the Roof, Changing Worldviews

Rebuilding Together Petaluma, a nonprofit that has been providing home repair for the needy for 15 years, is gearing up for its next work day April 9. 

An estimated 350 volunteers will roll up their sleeves for 14 projects around town that will include retrofitting the riverfront at G and H Streets as well as the homes of low-income families, seniors and the disabled. 

“We’re serving people in our community who absolutely need the help, who can’t do it themselves and have nowhere else to turn,” says Executive Director Jane Hamilton.

This year, in addition to the usual plumbing, flooring and electrical work, each home will receive an energy assessment and upgrade. Weatherization such as caulking and insulation, and cleaning refrigerator coils and furnace filters, will help people save on their energy bills. Water-conservation measures such as landscaping, along with new showerheads and kitchen faucets—what Hamilton calls “inexpensive measures”—will reduce water bills.

She compares the day to a barn raising—one that’s really fun and rewarding.

Last year, a group of volunteers tackled 80-year-old Betty Martinelli's mobile home, installing ramps and other things to make it wheelchair accessible. They also fixed plugs, installed a new kitchen sink and washed her windows.

“It was amazing how they operated,” Martinelli says. “Everyone is so happy doing it. That’s what I can’t get over. They’re all talking and laughing like one big happy family.”

Rebuilding Together completed more than 60 projects last year, the volunteers and families receiving the repairs often working side by side.

“Homeowners may have been challenged beforehand, but once they see there’s a little light at the end of the tunnel their attitude changes,” says Victoria O’Riley, Director of Program Services. She says the best part of her job is how happy everyone is at the end of the day.

“They’re usually brought to tears," O'Riley says of the clients. "It’s really touching.”

The results are more than just the physical improvements to a person’s home, Hamilton says.

“It affects their whole lives and their viewpoint of what kind of world they’re living in. This is one place you’re really seeing how wonderful people can be.”

All materials for Rebuilding Together are donated or discounted. Local businesses sponsor the projects with grant funds—including a $12,500 Heroes at Home veterans grant from Sears and a $5,000 grant from Lowe's. Top Speed Data, which is sponsoring a project, will bring employees and friends of their business to volunteer.

“We’re the facilitators of generosity,” Hamilton says. “We help people who want to give and we match them up with people who need to receive. It’s really uplifting.”

Rebuilding Together is still seeking business sponsorships for the event as well as applications from people who may need any assistance. Call 707-765-3944 for more information or check the site to see if you qualify.