More than 250 volunteers and civic leaders helped in the rehabilitation of seven sites in Boston’s neighborhoods – including two homes in Dorchester – last Saturday as part of “National Rebuilding Month.” The effort was organized by Rebuilding Together Boston, the local chapter of a national nonprofit with a vision of a safe and healthy home for every person. The two homes locally were on Ware Street and Oakman Street, respectively.

“The Rebuilding Together Boston volunteers and sponsors make National Rebuilding Day possible,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “Thanks to their hard work,​ ​homeowners and nonprofit facilities will receive critical repairs that will strengthen our neighborhoods for the long term.”

Mariette and her husband Edy have lived in their Ware Street home for ten years. Both of them have health issues, Mariette with arthritis and Edy with diabetes. They are the retired parents of two adult children. A team of volunteers from Sea-Dar Construction completed interior and exterior repairs to their home, including rebuilding a number of decks.

On Oakman Street near Neponset Circle, a single mother who has lived in her home for ten years, has struggled to keep up with repairs since losing her job. Home repairs done last weekend included roof repair, insulation, back and front porch repairs, electrical repairs, ceiling patching, and other projects. The volunteer team consisted of workers from Pro-Teck Valuation Services and Bullhorn, along with some additional individuals.

Last weekend’s work was made possible by the generosity of sponsors and many of their employee volunteers: Amramp, Bank of America/Merrill Lynch, Booz Allen Hamilton, Bullhorn, DiMella Shaffer, Gilbane Building Company, Grand Circle Foundation, Pro-Teck Valuation Services, Sea-Dar Construction, Skanska USA, Starbucks Coffee Company, Walsh Brothers, and Wells Fargo. In addition, Rebuilding Together Boston appreciates the many skilled tradespersons, including Citywide Contracting, Dr. Fix It, and Preble Electric, who also make these renovations possible.

Since its founding in 1991, RTB has completed close to 400 projects with an estimated total value of close to $7 million while engaging in the process more than 20,000 skilled and unskilled volunteers. Many of the projects have assisted our neighbors in Dorchester and Mattapan and we are grateful to the organization— and their affiliated sponsors— for stepping up in this way.

Eligible low-income, veteran, and disabled homeowners can find out more about how they can get the help they need by going to rtboston.org or calling 617-971-0058.