Where Senior Rockstars Hang-Out

There are many great things about my job – the awesome volunteers that return year after year, getting to work with so many local nonprofits, the excitement & enthusiasm of our new volunteers and being able to learn so much about construction. But the real reason I’m in love with my job is getting to work with our clients. Which is no surprise to my coworkers or friends – I adore working with seniors. They are a wealth of knowledge, life experience and great stories – such as growing up in a constantly changing San Francisco, as part of the Great Migration from the South to Hunters Point shipyard during WWII, graduating with the first class of female nurses or when Visitacion Valley was grassland and residents had their own personal use vineyards.

So, when I come into work and find a magazine clipping about an awesome senior on my desk, well of course I have to blog about it! THIS story (from November 1, 2011 Amercianway Magazine) is about 70 year old Jeff Harrell – “…today a great-grandfather, is the reigning Senior Games national discus champion in his age group.” He adds “Competing again has added years to my life. And being a National Champion feels really good. It’s restored a little pride.” A little? Jeff, you’re too modest… Read More »

Volunteer Away Those Parking Tickets

Got parking tickets? Have more time than money? Consider volunteering with RTSF to work those parking tickets away!

That’s right folks, Rebuilding Together San Francisco is part of Project 20, a program through the SFMTA that allows eligible  people to work off their San Francisco* parking tickets by volunteering with a local nonprofit. Rapidly approaching our busiest time of year (January through April), I want to make sure all our volunteers know that this program exists – help a sweet senior AND get rid of those pesky street cleaning tickets!

Here’s how to sign up:

• Show up at the SFMTA office (11 South Van Ness Ave.) sometime between Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. Their phone is (415) 626-4995
• After signing a contract, they will send you to the Project 20 offices on 7^th St. (near Hall of Justice)
• Email me, Valerie, or drop us a line – I’m really good at keeping people busy!

You can find out more about the program here, click on “Alternative to Payment”

*sorry Oaklandites! Although I hear rumor that Oakland has a similar program (called Project 22) and while I couldn’t find any further information online, check here for more info.

Wonder what to do about graffiti?

Last night at a community meeting (the OMI Neighbors in Action, to be exact), they had two super nice guys (Greg & Larry) from the Department of Public Works (DPW) came to talk about graffiti specifically. I thought the information was really helpful and interesting, so I wanted to share it briefly with all of you! But please check out their site here  for more information including what it costs to abate each year, tips to remove, and efforts to deter taggers by creating murals.

If you see graffiti, call “311″ to report it. They get over 100 graffiti phone complaints a day (wowzers!) but they have a great system around following up in a timely manner. Read More »

Meet Our Hosts: Lucia Casaravilla

Lucia, one of our newer Board Members,  first heard about and got involved with Rebuilding Together while she lived in Washington D.C.  As a sponsor and partner, she fell in love with the mission of Rebuilding Together.

When she moved to San Francisco, she looked up the San Francisco Rebuilding Together affiliate and infiltrated its ranks as a volunteer.  Lucia continues to be a part of Rebuilding Together because of the tangible difference made in the lives of others and the opportunity to work with communities and the homeowners within them.

As an active Board Member, Lucia participates in the Marketing and Development committees.  She is always looking forward to new challenges and the freedom to be productive in creative ways.  She also enjoys working with the other fun and talented Board Members of Rebuilding Together San Francisco.

Read More »

Senior Rockstar

I admit it – I’m a total sucker for an inspiring story about a rockstar senior. Partly because many of our clients are isolated and overwhelmed with the daily struggle of living on a tiny fixed income, in a home with deferred maintenance and having to decide between being warm, being fed or having medicine. But I also love a story that tells a different tale, that reminds me how diverse our clients are - the community minded, the artists, activists, teachers and very active seniors  - our clients truly run the gamut!

Photo by Lance Iversen

So imagine how thrilled I was to stumble on this article, about the first woman to hold the 10th degree black belt in Judo…oh. And did I mention she’s 98? And lives in San Francisco? Please meet my new hero, Keiko Fukuda (thanks to Laughing Squid – great photos!) I will be keeping my eye out for that documentary – perhaps a volunteer movie night?

Calling all nonprofits, schools & income qualified residents!

It’s that time of year again friends – Rebuilding Together San Francisco is actively recruiting applications for next year’s National Rebuilding Day, next April, Saturday 28th, 2012.

• Do you know of a neighbor, friend or community member that could benefit from free home repair or basic safety modifications?
• Do you frequent a local nonprofit, community center or live near a public school that could really use a renovation?

Please refer them to us, our applications is on our website HERE and our deadline for next Rebuilding Day is August 31st. Read More »

The Dump is Awesome. Here’s Why You Should Go…

We coordinated our first Volunteer Field Trip yesterday at the Dump (or more appropriately known as Recology) and 18 of us took the 2 ½ hr tour – Wow! Who knew there was so much going on down there off Tunnel Ave? Read More »

Save the Date

Our Changing Neighborhoods, Changing Lives fundraiser is rapidly approaching – please save the date!

Where: SOMArts Cultural Center (934 Brannan St., San Francisco, CA 94103)

When:  Thursday, September 22nd 6:00-9:00pm

What: Join us at the Changing Neighborhoods, Changing Lives fundraiser for Rebuilding Together San Francisco and support our work to rebuilding our San Francisco community! Exciting events include:

For more information contact Karen Nemsick (415) 905-1611 ext. 202

Tour the Dump with RTSF!

As many of our Captains know, our local trash company (which, by the way, is 100% employee owned) Recology is a HUGE supporter of our Rebuilding Day work. And we love them for that – every April, they donate dumpsters to our projects and also pick up ALL the trash (that our volunteers seperate into piles) the Monday following Rebuilding Day. That’s huge folks – easily a donation worth $15-20,ooo and it is no exaggeration to say that we could not do the great work we do without them. *round of applause*

Picture courtesy of Light Rider Images

So on that note – we thought it would be fun to schedule a Tour of the Dump! Read More »

Senior Programs Are Community Programs

Picture courtesy of Light Rider Images

I can’t stop thinking about a recent article about adult day health centers being slashed (see here) - heartbreaking on many levels. Many of our senior clients struggle with loneliness and isolation, either as widows, because family has moved away, they don’t feel safe in their neighborhoods or because of limited mobility.Last year, during my oral history interviews, I asked every senior interviewed what they were most surprised about at this age – 9 out of 10 said being this alone, that they hadn’t expected to be so lonely. *heartbreaking*

Often times, adult day health centers are one of the few opportunities for seniors to take free classes, have a nutritious meal, learn about useful resources or socialize with their community. Read More »