Our Vision

Creating a safe, healthy and efficient home for every person.

Our Mission

Rebuilding Together Oakland brings volunteers and communities together to improve the homes and lives of homeowners in need by providing repairs, safety modifications and energy upgrades to their home so they may live in safety, comfort and independence.   We do this at no cost to the homeowner.

In these turbulent economic times, our mission is ever more relevant and important as our clients struggle to maintain their homes, along with their dignity, when many of the safety net programs they rely on for food and other assistance have been eliminated by state and municipal budget cuts.

Dignity: the quality or state of being worthy, honored, or esteemed. It is what one feels when they own their home.  The home is a place of memories; it is the evidence of hard work and personal sacrifice; where family traditions are formed and children raised; it is the place we hope to live out the golden years in comfort, independence and grace.

Unfortunately, for many in our community, this dreamscape is a nightmare.  Elderly, disabled and other vulnerable homeowners unable to perform or afford home maintenance defer maintenance until the safety and soundness of the home is compromised.

When a homeowner with resources has a problem with plumbing, a broken window, an inoperable furnace or water heater, they place a call with the home warranty company; hire a handyman; or have a capable family member fix the problem.  For the homeowners we serve the homeowner resorts to a bucket under the sink to catch the leaking water; duct tape and newspaper to cover the missing window pane; use a space heater or oven to warm a room; or forego a bath because the water is too cold.

We work collaboratively with community organizations and volunteers to preserve the homes of our most vulnerable neighbors.  Our volunteers perform the work so a home is not tagged as blighted; before the homeowner sequesters herself to the one room with intact windows and a space heater or before he falls in the bathroom.

A typical Rebuilding Together Oakland homeowner may be a:

• Senior citizen
• Grandparent raising grandchildren
• Disabled person
• Veteran
• Adult child caring for ailing parents

We also repair and renovate non-profit facilities so they can use their resources for delivery of programs and services to Oakland's low-income communities. RTO is an affiliate of Rebuilding Together, Inc, the nation's leading nonprofit working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize communities, and is part of a network of more than 200 affiliates providing critical home repairs to low-income homeowners at no cost to them.  Rebuilding Together was formerly known as Christmas in April.

The repairs are performed by thousands of dedicated volunteers funded by the generous sponsorship of local corporations, foundations, churches, synagogues, schools and civic organizations.

Our Impact

Since 1993, Rebuilding Together Oakland volunteers have brought joy to hundreds of homeowners.

Homeowner joy, community pride, citizenship - Priceless!