“What It Means to Serve” – Introducing RTSF’s New AmeriCorps Member

Why serve in San Francisco? Yes, it is a lovely place, and yes the espressos are quite nice, and I do love a good walk in Golden Gate Park, but mainly, to be blunt, it is because the affiliate hired me before any other had the chance. So, perhaps the better question is, why service? For that, I would have to articulate what it means – to me, anyway – to be a citizen.

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MLK AmeriCorps Week in OKC

Anyone who has participated in a Rebuilding Day is familiar with that feeling at the end where you step back and take a look at the work you, along with friends who may have previously been strangers, completed in the span of one day. Sometimes it’s a feeling of exhaustion or relief, but in most cases it’s a feeling of camaraderie and accomplishment. Right now, my fellow members of Rebuilding Together’s AmeriCorps program, CapacityCorps, and I are mostly likely experiencing all of those feelings multiplied by 5, and what’s even better, is that the result of it is that 9 homeowners in Oklahoma City, OK are hopefully now feeling happier and safer in their homes.

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Farewell Melissa, Our Awesome Outreach AmeriCorps Member

There are so many amazing things about having AmeriCorps members spending a year of service with us – their enthusiasm for our work, volunteers and clients, a new perspective on our challenges or their individual strengths that always results in capacity building here at RTSF. But I have to be honest – the least amazing part is when their term comes to an end and they move on, whether it’s to other jobs, graduate school and other cities, it’s always a little sad. This Friday marks Melissa’s last day with RTSF, so sad. Confession: I’m awful at goodbyes (in fact I’m more of a ghost-out* gal) but Melissa has been such an amazing asset to the Outreach Department (of 2) over here and I just couldn’t pass up this opportunity for RTSF to brag about all her great work. Here is what our coworkers had to say about working with Melissa over the last year: Read More »

RTSF: 2012 World Series Champs!

Thousands of San Franciscans rushed into the streets Sunday night decked in orange, spraying champagne, and setting off firecrackers. The excited tension that had pervaded the city for the past few weeks finally broke and the result was a euphoric atmosphere of random strangers hugging and celebrating together in the streets of San Francisco. Read More »

The Raman Hotel – A Project Snapshot

The Project: The Raman Hotel opened their doors in 2005 after a fire had displaced all its residents. The Raman hotel was acquired by the Tenderloin Housing Clinic, becoming a Single Room Occupancy (SRO) providing 87 units of housing to the homeless population, specifically seniors. Read More »

Gettin’ Things Done for America!

Rebuilding Together believes in a safe and healthy home for every person. Are you ready to turn your idealism into action? In the past, we have worked with wonderful AmeriCorps members and we are currently seeking an AmeriCorps member to serve in our office in San Francisco beginning January 2013. Read More »

From the Windy City to Fog City

It’s been only 2 weeks since I first walked in the door at RTSF and it’s hard to believe! The constant, and once distracting sound, of drilling for the America’s Cup outside our window has become strangely soothing to me now. That hasn’t been the only indication of me “settling in” here of course, as these past weeks have been filled with great sights and adventures that have allowed me to get to know this new city even better. Read More »

Transitioning into a new chapter

I know all you avid RTSF blog readers out there are wondering who in the heck is this girl calling me regarding site visits, volunteering and the list will soon be longer.  Well that girl is me, Stephanie Lilla, Rebuilding Together’s new Volunteer Coordinator! Read More »

Adios Ted!

I’m late doing this blog post but let’s just chalk it up to denial – yes, it’s official folks. My right hand man, volunteer, website & communications Master of the Known Universe has officially moved on. Ted’s last day was actually July 6th, although rumor is he’s staying local so not unlike Elvis, I’m hoping for the occasional future Ted sitings. Either way, we wish him the best of luck and can’t wait to hear what lucky nonprofit snags him! Read More »

Bon Voyage Andrew!

Let me start out by saying, I am horrible at goodbyes - which is ironic considering how much of our job involves goodbyes. We spend about a year working very closely with our project homeowners and facility partners and then after the Build Day, we part ways. Similarly, we get to work very closely with our AmeriCorps members for about 10 months before they fly off onto new life adventures. And today is one of those days – today is the last day of service for our Program Development Associate, Andrew Oommen. Read More »