A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Generous Supporters

As we reflect on the journey of our organization during 2023, we are filled with immense gratitude for the unwavering support and generosity of our valued grantors, volunteer organizations, and contractors. Without your dedication and commitment, our mission to serve our community would not have been possible. Today, we want to extend our deepest thanks to each and every one of you.

First and foremost, we express our heartfelt appreciation to our grantors and corporate donors: Home Street Bank, Wells Fargo Foundation, Long Beach Utility Department, Fortune Brands, PWR Foundation, Lowe’s, and Ultimate Kronos Group. Your belief in our vision and your generous contributions have been instrumental in driving our initiatives forward. Your support has enabled us to make a tangible impact in the lives of those we serve, and for that, we are truly grateful.

We also want to extend our sincerest thanks to the volunteer organizations that have dedicated their time, energy, and expertise to our cause. Ultimate Kronos Group, DPR Construction, Swinerton, New Found Life, and Wells Fargo, your willingness to roll up your sleeves and work alongside us has been invaluable. Your passion for making a difference has inspired us all, and we are incredibly grateful for your partnership.

Additionally, we extend our gratitude to the contractors and vendors who have provided us with their services at friendly rates, ensuring that our resources are used efficiently and effectively. PDS Plumbing & Air, AAA Calvert Electrical & HVAC, Steven's Carpet & Flooring, and JP Plumbing, your professionalism and dedication to quality have not gone unnoticed. And a special thank you to Joe Jost’s, who generously donate lunch, snacks and refreshments for our build days. Your support has helped us maximize the impact of every dollar spent, allowing us to stretch our resources further than we ever thought possible.

As we move forward, we are filled with hope and optimism for the future, knowing that we have such incredible supporters standing by our side. Your generosity has not only transformed the lives of those we serve but has also strengthened the fabric of our community. Together, we will continue to strive towards our shared vision of a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

Once again, sincerely, thank you.

Community Heroes: JP Plumbing and Rebuilding Together Long Beach Unite to Assist Darlene in Water Emergency

In the heart of Long Beach, a tale of community support and kindness unfolds as JP Plumbing and the Long Beach Utility Department join forces to came to the aid of Darlene, a widowed and disabled resident facing a water crisis. This heartwarming story exemplifies the power of local businesses and public services working together to make a difference in the lives of those in need.

Darlene, a resilient widow living with a disability, found herself in the midst of a water emergency. A leak in her main water line had not only resulted in a significant loss of water and a large water bill, but had also caused damage to her home. Leaking faucets and frozen valves added to the complexity of the situation, leaving Darlene in a challenging predicament.

In partnership with the Long Beach Utility Department and a pilot program to assist with water leaks, Rebuilding Together Long Beach, swiftly reached out to local businesses, seeking assistance in rectifying the issue. Recognizing the urgency of the matter, JP Plumbing, a reputable plumbing service known for its commitment to the community, immediately stepped up to offer their expertise and support.

The team at JP Plumbing quickly assessed the extent of the damage and collaborated with the Long Beach Utility Department to devise a comprehensive plan of action. Their skilled technicians worked tirelessly to repair the main water line, fix the leaking faucets, and address the frozen valves that had exacerbated the crisis.

The collaboration between JP Plumbing, Rebuilding Together Long Beach, and the Long Beach Utility Department exemplifies the spirit of community engagement and support. In times of crisis, the ability of local businesses and public services to work hand-in-hand not only resolves immediate issues but also fosters a sense of unity and belonging within the community.

Thanks to the swift response and efforts of JP Plumbing, Darlene's home was restored to a safe and habitable condition. The story serves as a testament to the impact that local businesses and public services can have when they prioritize the well-being of community members in need.

That's a Wrap!

We got an early start to National Volunteer Month (April 1-April 30) with our good friends at DPR Construction. Combining a She Builds project with National Women in Construction Week (March 5-March 11), Annie and Jasmin coordinated with their internal teams to design and build an accessibility ramp for Maria. Rickety and deteriorating, 25 volunteers from DPR Construction demolished the ramp, porch and stairs and created a solid and safe structure for Maria and her guests to use. They also included a gift of a raised planter box for Maria’s daughter Flor!

April 28th found us at Tracy’s house with an enthusiastic group of volunteers from Ultimate Kronos Group, for a back yard cleanup. Diane wrangled 15 volunteers who put their backs into trimming trees, cutting lawns, and clearing out brush. For Chef Tracy, the UKG group built a raised garden box and planted some veggies and herbs. Underestimating the amount of debris to be removed, Bruno from RIO Junk Removal stepped up to haul away what wouldn’t fit in the dumpster.

And on Rebuilding Together’s National Rebuilding Day 2023, April 29th, 15 volunteers from Swinerton, organized by Khamaria and Joey swooped in at Laisa’s to build a fence, replace a gate and spruce up some planter beds. With a backyard that opened onto an alley, the fence added a measure of safety for Laisa and her 4 young children. Adding some California native, drought tolerant plants rounded out the event. A shout out to Fernando from Sunstate Equipment Company for providing a post hole auger so Scott and his crew could make quick work out of a bunch of posts! Lunch and snacks were provided by the kind folks at Joe Jost’s.

We are in the planning stages for our next volunteer event, “Make a Difference Day”, to be held this year on October 28, 2023. Check our website for updates on volunteer opportunities, event sponsorship and vendor relations at www.rtlb.org.

A New Beginning

We met Tracy in the summer of 2022. She is a single mother of 2, and a resident of Long Beach for the past 22 years. Earlier in the year, she was diagnosed with long COVID and has been unable to work.

 During our site visit, we discovered an outdated electrical system that was not only a hazard, but could also not keep up with the demands of a modern household.

 As we continued our walkthrough, we discovered major leaks in the water supply to the kitchen sink, requiring the family to empty a catch bucket twice daily. The bathroom sink and tub valves were non functioning, leaving only the small shower enclosure working.

 The Rebuilding Together team got busy looking for funding to be able to provide Tracy and her family with a safe and healthy home.  Wells Fargo provided a grant, and with the generous donations from you during our Long Beach Gives 2022 donation drive we had enough to start with the most desperate need – the electrical.

 In early October, we met with TJ, from AAA Calvert, an electrical, heating and air conditioning contractor located in Long Beach. With a quote including a generous labor discount, we were ready to begin Tracy’s home’s transformation.

 In late October, Tracy and her family faced a medical tragedy. Kevin, her 22 year old son, was brought down by a brain aneurysm that ruptured, leaving him unable to breathe on his own, and loss of control of his limbs.

 In 2021, Kevin was Air Force bound until his mom’s long COVID diagnosis. He postponed his future to support his mom, and help out with his younger sister, Morgan. With his mom scheduled to return to work in January 2023, he again set his sites on joining the Air Force.

 During a conversation with his mom, he complained of a headache, and then collapsed. He has been in the hospital since. He will be relocated to a rehabilitation facility and will need months of rehab. The extent of the damage is still unknown as is his return to home.

 AAA Calvert started rebuilding the electrical system, now with the understanding of the urgency. The old service panel was replaced with a new panel, additional receptacles are being added, and the old outdated wiring replaced with new. The new system will be grounded, and new lighting fixtures will be installed.

With the changes brought by Kevin’s injuries, the design of the bathroom remodel has changed to include ADA accessibility features and is expected to start early spring 2023.

Be a part of Rebuilding Together Long Beach through volunteer work, donation, or as a board member.

Thank you! With your donation you helped…Maria Rodriguez!

Maria has several health issues, and after suffering a stroke is now wheelchair-bound. Her family was able to replace a leaking water heater, but there was not enough money to repair the water damage to her bedroom floor caused by the leak.

Maria’s daughter and caregiver, Flor, was unable to navigate the soft spots caused by the damage to the subflooring and flooring with her mother’s wheelchair so the living room doubled as Maria’s bedroom.

Your ongoing donations helped complete the critical repairs for Maria. Thanks to flooring experts at Steven’s Carpet and Flooring, Flor was able to move her mom’s bedroom furniture out of the living room and back into the bedroom. Maria can now navigate through the rooms in a safe and healthy room. 

The less critical but still important repairs to the back stairs and the ADA ramp should be completed by year end.

#WhyIGive, #LongBeachGives

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