Homeowner Spotlight: J. Allen
Rebuilding Together Philadelphia has made my “together” all the more possible!
Key word… together.
The house that I now live in was purchased in 1958 by my family members for my great-grandmother (pictured above) and extended family. The adjacent photo shows family members around the dining room table for the first Christmas we spent together in the house. Since then 6 generations have enjoyed our “togetherness” in this home. It hardly seems possible that my great-grandmother, my grandmother, my mother, me and my children, and my children’s children have enjoyed the luxury, the blessing, of being under this roof for more than 60 years! So many birthdays, holidays, and special occasions centered around this house with my great-grandmother cooking delicious meals, cousins and aunties coming and going, not to mention the laughter and joy we experienced as we all came together.
As one might imagine a house with this much traffic, and many years of wear and tear, might call for repairs from time to time. After purchasing the house from my family, I found that it was difficult to find trustworthy contractors and service providers to make necessary repairs. I worked for an insurance company for many years, so I was more than aware of the diligence required for maintenance and safety. To my chagrin I was often frustrated by those who would overcharge for services and/or disrepaired (if there is such a word) needed repairs!
Now in my senior years with my children off and married with families of their own I am faced with the daunting task of maintaining this house which means so much to me. In fact, my entire neighborhood has been plagued with blight, abandoned properties and the challenges of maintaining aging homes. One of my resourceful neighbors helped us apply to the Rebuilding Together Program for assistance in repairing our homes. What a Godsend this program has been to me and to many of the residents on my street and in my neighborhood. I can say with certainty that none of us could have afforded the costs of the repairs and services rendered to us! Roofs, doors, sump pumps, floors - are just some of the many repairs performed by contractors that we could trust, who were courteous, and who really seemed to care about our needs even in the midst of COVID!!!
Yes, even in these stressful times of mask wearing and social distancing workers showed up exactly when they said they would and remained until the job was done. Matt and the team communicated regularly and were always cordial and respectful. I so appreciated how they handled all of my concerns. I also appreciated the education and advice I received on matters of safety in the home for aging individuals such as myself.
My only regret is that COVID prohibited us from having our “Build” day which would have given me the pleasure of working together with the volunteers and skilled workers.
I say all of this, to say, because of Rebuilding Together Philadelphia, I will be able to build more memories in this house which for generations has been the center of my “togetherness”!
