WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 30, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Rebuilding Together was recognized as a 2013 National Service Impact Award honoree by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) during the AmeriCorps 20th Anniversary kick-off ceremony in Washington, DC, on September 20, 2013.
The National Service Impact Awards recognize the demonstrable impact made by everyday citizens who serve their communities and exemplify the best in national and community service.
Awards were judged on the impact made in the one of the six focus areas outlined in the agency’s five-year Strategic Plan: disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and veterans and military families. One additional award was presented after being selected as the People’s Choice winner from voting that took place on Challenge.gov.
Rebuilding Together is being recognized for its achievements in the People’s Choice category. Southwest Airlines will provide one person from each 2013 Service Impact Award honoree with a round-trip airline ticket good for any of their destinations.
“The Corporation for National and Community Service gives these awards to shine a spotlight on the impact our programs are making in communities throughout the country,” said Wendy Spencer, CNCS CEO. “We know the value in engaging volunteers and national service leaders, and it’s an honor to recognize these great programs and great volunteer leadership in action.”
Members of the Rebuilding Together AmeriCorps program, CapacityCorps, dedicated the 2013 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service to rebuilding homes and revitalizing communities in Oklahoma City. During the event, 62 AmeriCorps members came together from 20 states to perform critical home repair services for veteran and senior citizen homeowners in need.
“Rebuilding Together is honored to accept this award on behalf of the dedicated AmeriCorps members whose efforts revitalized the homes of low-income Oklahoma City homeowners in need,” said Charley Shimanski, president and CEO. “We are grateful to CNCS for recognizing the importance of the Rebuilding Together AmeriCorps program and the value that it brings to communities across the country. We also appreciate Rebuilding Together Oklahoma City for hosting the event and our AmeriCorps members whose service demonstrates the importance of a safe and healthy home for every person.”
Rebuilding Together AmeriCorps members repaired nine homes while serving 3,000 hours with the help of area high school students and community members in the Carverdale-Edwards-South Creston Hills triangle area in Oklahoma City. The members also participated in discussions about the legacy of Dr. King and how service is just as important now as it was during the Civil Rights struggle of the 1960s.
Rebuilding Together CapacityCorps is a National Direct AmeriCorps program with 65 full-time AmeriCorps members serving around the country. Members build the capacity of grassroots Rebuilding Together programs so that they may be more sustainable, effective, and efficient in helping additional low-income homeowners in need.
About Rebuilding Together
Rebuilding Together is a Safe and Healthy Housing organization that believes community starts at home. Our focus provides critical repairs, accessibility modifications and energy efficient upgrades to low-income homes and community centers at no cost to service recipients. Our impact extends beyond the individuals served to revitalize and stabilize vulnerable neighborhoods and communities across the country. Our 187 local affiliates completed 10,400 rebuild projects in 2012 thanks to the efforts of 100,000 volunteers from corporate partners, skilled trades professionals and everyday good citizens. Join us – visit www.RebuildingTogether.org.
