POUGHKEEPSIE – Rebuilding Together Dutchess County is preparing to accept applications for its home repair and accessibility modification programs. These services are provided at no cost to qualified homeowners and focus on ensuring that individuals can live independently in safe, warm, dry, and healthy homes.
Income qualified Dutchess County homeowners, especially seniors, persons living with a disability, military veterans, or parents with school-aged children, are encouraged to apply. Organization board member Joe Ciardi said, “We want to help as many people as possible. Our programs are designed to assist eligible homeowners who are facing expensive repairs but have limited or fixed incomes. Our staff is ready to help.”
The Rebuilding Day program recently helped a 76-year-old widow named Martha in Poughkeepsie by replacing her boiler. The homeowner of 55 years needed a new heat source. Martha who had been relying on space heaters was eventually connected with Rebuild Together. After applying and receiving approval for the new heating system, the group enlisted one of their partners, Cleveland Plumbing and Heating, to install the boiler and make necessary repairs to the venting system.
“I cannot find enough words to describe the enormous weight off of me and the amount of gratitude I have for Rebuilding Together,” said Martha.
Scott Cleveland, the owner of Cleveland Plumbing and Heating has been working with Rebuild Together for a few years. He said Program Director Wyeth Drummond “has an amazing ability to connect the people that need help to companies like ours that are fortunate enough to be in a position to provide the help or funding needed. He always seems to find a way to help the people that most need or deserve it and that’s a special gift that you don’t see too often in this day and age.”
To request an application or ask questions, call the Rebuilt Together office at 845-454-7310. Further details and applications can also be found at www.RTDutchess.org.
If you are not an applicant for the group’s programs, they say you can help your neighbors in need by:
- Encouraging people to apply: Program qualifications and applications can be found at RTDutchess.org or by calling 845-454-7310.
- Using RTDC as a resource: If you think your workplace, church, or club might enjoy learning about RTDC’s services and how they can help assist members of their community, contact info@RTDutchess.org.
- Making a donation: Donations may be made online at RTDutchess.org or mailed to P.O. Box 3695, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603.
- Volunteering: Visit RTDutchess.org or email info@RTDutchess.org.
Since RTDC’s founding in 1992, over 14,000 volunteers have assisted more than 1,000 Dutchess County homeowners with critical home repairs, accessibility modifications, and energy-efficiency upgrades valued at over $7 million in market value.
