Rebuilding Together - Metro Chicago and the Village of Park Forest announced their collaboration for National Rebuilding Day 2024 and the Safe at Home program earlier this week.
These initiatives aim to enrich the quality of life for Park Forest residents by focusing on home rehabilitation, community revitalization, and safety enhancements.
National Rebuilding Day is an annual volunteer-driven event focused on home repairs for families in need. This year, the partnership targets the rehabilitation of approximately 20 homes in Park Forest. Skilled volunteers will undertake a variety of tasks, including roofing, electrical work, plumbing, and heating system upgrades. The intent is not just to uplift individual households but also to bolster community pride and improve the neighborhood's overall aesthetic.
In tandem with National Rebuilding Day, the Safe at Home program aims to make homes safer and more accessible, specifically catering to the elderly, disabled, and families with young children. Approximately 30 homes are slated to benefit from this program. Installations include safety devices such as grab bars, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers. The program will also conduct home safety assessments to identify potential hazards and recommend suitable modifications.
Both programs stem from the shared belief that everyone is entitled to a safe, comfortable living environment. The partnership between Rebuilding Together - Metro Chicago and the Village of Park Forest serves as an excellent model of how community organizations can collaboratively effect transformative change. Through the efforts of these two initiatives, not only will individual homes be improved, but a wider commitment to community enhancement and sustainable urban living will also be fostered.
For more information about Rebuilding Together – Metro Chicago, please visit their website here: https://www.rebuildingtogether-chi.com/about
The online application for homeowners can be found here.
If you are a veteran, you also need to complete the Veterans Addendum, which can be found here.