Mevelyn

Mevelyn is a part of another Rebuilding Together DC Alexandria success story.

Originally from Georgia, she became a resident of the DC area in 1972. Mevelyn’s home has always been a safe and comfortable space for her. As her home aged, she needed some repairs to ensure that the safety and comfort continued. 

Rebuilding Together DC Alexandria was able to add grab bars and hand railings to increase her stability. Her front porch was painted to improve the visibility and external beauty of her home. When Mevelyn was unsure of her electric outlet’s potential, they were assessed and she was given an action plan. These additions and services have improved her wellbeing in more ways than one. 

Stories like these are WHY Rebuilding Together DC Alexandria exists today. Hearing a client say that they feel “blessed, appreciated and seen by their community” supports our mission. Thank you for believing in the vision and contributing to our efforts of improving the lives of individuals in the DC/Alexandria area. 

Margaret

Meet Margaret, another Rebuilding Together DCA success story.

For the past 52 years, Margaret has been able to comfortably reside in her home without fear or reservations. Unlike many other seniors her age, she hasn’t any plans to relocate. Partly because of the efforts of Rebuilding Together DCA.

Our training and our vision to improve the lives of older people so that they can live independently were highlights for Margaret. Not having to leave her precious home unless she wanted to was a plus. At 85 years old, she is able to take care of her hygiene needs because of the stairlift and safety bars that were added to her bathroom. She received a refridgerator to store her homecooked meals. When days are nice, she is able to safely walk outside and enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature because of the walkway that was placed in the backyard.

Truly, our Rebuilding Together DCA supporters and sponsors have helped to change her life and the lives of so many others. This is just the beginning and we hope that you will continue to be a part of our efforts to make our communities and the world a little bit better.

Thomas

Thomas K.* is an Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War. His parents moved into their Alexandria home in 1949, and Thomas has lived in the house for 55 years.

He has many fond memories growing up in his Alexandria home. He remembers his first Christmas trees, his first pet, large holiday dinners with his grandparents, and bands playing on the lawn at birthday parties in the 1960s.

Thomas has endured challenges since then. He is a double-amputee and is dependent on a wheelchair now. He also had a hip replacement and a stroke. To accommodate his disability, Thomas has handicap rails on all stairways, bars in his bathroom, a wheelchair on each floor, a wheelchair ramp off the back deck, a first floor bedroom, a gate built in to the driveway side of the front porch railing, and floors without any carpeting.

We have completed several repairs for Thomas over the years. Most recently, our volunteers repaired his front door, painted the bathroom and foyer, installed mini blinds in the bathroom, trimmed shrubs and bushes, adjusted a gate, filled a sinkhole in the driveway, and installed an exterior sun shade on the front porch.

“The staff and volunteers did a great job,” said Thomas. “You could immediately see and feel the improvements, large and small.”

Thomas is thankful for many things: He says he has incredible neighbors. He can access many different locations and businesses from his house much more easily than from other locations. And he is thankful for all the repairs that Rebuilding Together DC Alexandria has done for him over the years.

“It has been amazing to see the transformation,” said Thomas. “From the rear-deck and furnace to the brightness in the hallway and bathroom, there has been such a big improvement. It is hard to look back now and calculate just how much Rebuilding Together has improved the quality of my life.”