Rebuilding Together of Thurston County Helps Homeowners Stay in Their Homes

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By Eric Wilson-Edge

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Rebuilding Together’s Raechel Kilcup (right) celebrates with Robyn Buck at a recent fundraising event. Photo courtesy Brandy Farnsworth Photography.

Robyn Buck did all the right things. The Bellevue native went to college. She got a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in communication. After school Buck got a job at Providence Saint Peter’s Hospital. She worked there for five years before taking a new position at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. She bought a home. In her spare time Buck volunteered for GRuB.

Then the wheels fell off. Buck got sick and had to leave her job for treatment. She had insurance but her plan didn’t cover everything. “I went through my savings and medically bankrupted myself,” says Buck.

As any homeowner knows, upkeep is a constant and costly process. Buck, who is on disability, couldn’t afford to make needed repairs. “I have some leak issues and it’s not something anyone has been able to figure out,” says Buck.

Rebuilding Together of Thurston County has stepped in to help. The national organization has 200 affiliates across the United States including Olympia. “We provide critical repairs, accessibility modifications and energy efficient upgrades to low-income people,” says Executive Director Raechel Kilcup.

Rebuilding Together started in 1973. The Thurston County branch opened in 2003 and has been growing in recent years. Kilcup is the group’s first Executive Director. We met at her office inside the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce building on Legion Way.

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Volunteers from companies such as Lowe’s are a big reason for Rebuilding Together’s success.

Kilcup is dedicated to helping others. She is direct and yet friendly. “I’m a single mom and I own my own home,” says Kilcup. “I know firsthand what it’s like to have things happen in your house that you can’t do anything about either because you don’t know how or don’t have the money.”

Nationally, Rebuilding Together completes an average of 10,000 projects per year. In Thurston County that number ranges from 100 to 200. The work is a mix of small and large projects. Repairs come at no cost to the homeowner and are performed by volunteers. “Sometimes we have more volunteers than we need,” says Kilcup. “We have them do yard work or chores. These are very low impact as far as cost but very high impact as far as value.”

To qualify for assistance you must own your home and be considered low income. You also need to be elderly, disabled, a veteran or a family with children.

Buck’s home is one of six projects that Rebuilding Together will be working on in our area during National Rebuilding Day on April 26. The projects are funded through a combination of fundraisers, donations, grants and sponsorships. This year, companies like Lowe’s, Homestreet Bank and Olympia Federal Savings are volunteering time and resources to help homeowners.

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Volunteers work together to build a ramp for a homeowner through Rebuilding Together.

The outpouring of support has been emotional for Buck. “It’s so humbling, I want to say humiliating. It’s so hard to admit I was even on disability. There comes a point where you can’t hide and you have to be who you are. I don’t know what I’d do without them.”

Recently Buck attended the Pins for People Bowling Tournament which is put on by Rebuilding Together. She introduced herself and by the end of the night had three new job leads. “I want to slide in part time and see how it goes,” says Buck.

Rebuilding Together’s mission is to rebuild homes and revitalize neighborhoods. A house in good condition increases peace of mind and market value. Community involvement creates bonds but also makes it possible to do more for more people. “For every dollar we receive in donations or sponsorship, we’re able to leverage four dollars,” says Kilcup.

Buck is excited to have her home fixed and grateful she found out about Rebuilding Together. “I didn’t know any of this stuff was available when I was working.” As for advice to others, Buck says, “there are people and resources to help you until you can get back on your own feet.”

If you are interested in volunteering with Rebuilding Together or would like more information about the organization and how you can get involved, visit the website by clicking here or call 360-539-7830.

 

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