About Us Rebuilding Together is a nonprofit, community-based partnership of volunteers from local government, businesses, and other nonprofits, that rehabilitate the homes of low-income homeowners and improve neighborhoods.
On two April Saturdays each year, approximately 1,200 skilled and unskilled volunteers join together to make repairs to about 25 homes in a selected St. Joseph County neighborhood. All repairs are completed at no cost to the homeowner.
History
In 1972 a group of volunteers in Midland, Texas, decided to devote one day in April to repairing and sprucing up the homes of their low-income, disabled, and elderly neighbors. “Why, this is like Christmas in April,” they were told. The spirit of giving spread to local affiliates across the country.
Christmas in April * St. Joseph County began in 1989. Since then, 35,000 volunteers have donated their time and skills to rehabilitate 721 homes, with repairs valued at more than $9 million, in South Bend.
In 2002 the Board of Directors of the local organization voted to change its name to Rebuilding Together, St. Joseph County. The name change aligned the local effort with the national program and better reflected its mission of a community working together to rebuild neighborhoods. The core goal of making repairs to the homes of low-income, disabled, and elderly residents remained unaltered.
Board of Directors
Rick Rozenboom (President), 1st Source Bank
Melanie McDonald (Vice President), University of Notre Dame
Iris Outlaw (Secretary), University of Notre Dame
Jim Scheetz (Treasurer), Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 172
Larry Bauer, 1st Source Bank
George Beardsley, Honeywell
Kevin Bell, The Sherwin-Williams Company
Carolyne Call, Saint Mary's College
Bill Cerney, Crowe Chizek and Company
Alyssia Coates, University of Notre Dame
George Efta, George Efta Wooden Puzzles
Don Fozo, MACAIF
Jim Roemer, University of Notre Dame (retired)
Jackie Rucker, University of Notre Dame
Catherine Toppel, City of South Bend Code Enforcement
Doug Wise, Honeywell
