Community Leaders and Regional Leaders elevate RTP's rebuilding efforts in unique ways. Partnerships at this level affect an entire neighborhood not only by supporting individual homeowners in need, but also, often, by making significant improvements to the physical space of a community agency.

To learn more about how a gift of $25,000 or more can transform a community, please contact Steve Seweryn, Executive Director at director@rebuildingphilly.org.

HSBC - North America
First introduced to Rebuilding Together Philadelphia through the Financial Services Roundtable in 2004, HSBC has invested significant financial and volunteer resources into community-based agencies through RTP. The first project was creating a headquarters for Families are Victims Too, a nonprofit in Southwest Philadelphia. In August 2007 and in January 2008, the St. Vincent DePaul Warehouse in Juniata Park was spruced up, inside and out.

HSBC employees and funds are being put to work again, in June, in Mt. Airy/Germantown. NIM (Neighborhood Interfaith Movement) and Face to Face are in close proximity, which makes for an ideal, multi-site project. Volunteers will improve the facilities of both organizations to help each carry out its community-building work. NIM, a non-sectarian nonprofit, has assisted children, families, and vulnerable and older adults since 1969. In alliance with 53 Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Unitarian, and Muslim congregations and faith-institutions, NIM strives to build a more just and sensitive community through advocacy and service. Face to Face exists to meet basic human needs and reduce suffering. As a caring community, it provides a safe environment and practical tools, which enable the people of Germantown to confront personal challenges, empower their lives, and fulfill their unique potential. Visit www.rebuildingtogether.org for more information on HSBC's national partnership with Rebuilding Together.

AARP
In recognition of AARP's 50th anniversary RTP is helping AARP with a community service project that will have a significant impact on the West Shore community of West Philadelphia. Our joint efforts will enable handicapped accessibility to the Southwest Community Enrichment Center; essential repairs for 10 homeowners; and home modifications for older adults. This project also anchors a series of projects that will be undertaken by the Senior Collaborative - a diverse group of community organizations. Members of the Senior Collaborative are working with neighborhood groups to provide interdisciplinary solutions to help West Shore residents sustain a healthy, multigenerational community.

This project is part of AARP's long-standing support of livable communities that allows people to age in place by removing physical barriers and employing universal design features to make homes livable despite advanced age or physical limitations. For more information on AARP's 50th anniversary, contact the AARP Pennsylvania State Office at 1.866.389.5654.

Opus East, LLC, a full service real estate developer, has been a supporter of RTP for several years. Its $40,000 sponsorship this year reflects a significant jump in both financial and volunteer resources. Last year, Opus East collaborated with “Gung Ho” – a Dragon Boat team dedicated to supporting breast cancer survivors – to form a house management team (HMT). This HMT boasted a diversity of skills and talents, resulting in an incredibly comprehensive transformation for a North Philadelphia homeowner. In spring 2008, Opus East is anchoring RTP's North Philadelphia Block Build. This means that the company will help lay the foundation for repairs for a community organization as well as for a significant number of homeowners residing in the same neighborhood. Other HMTs will be needed to add their resources to generate an augmented impact on the Fairhill/Lower Kensington community.

This partnership not only significantly enhances Opus East's relationship with RTP, but also is part of the Opus Corporate Foundation's long-standing support of the community. Community stewardship has been at the core of Opus since it was founded in 1953. Opus has always contributed 10% (compared to the national average of 1%) of its pretax profits and a tremendous number of employee volunteer hours to dozens of nonprofits. Across the U.S., Opus employees have teamed up with Rebuilding Together affiliates to repair homes, revitalize communities, and restore the lives of homeowners in need in Chicago (Opus North) and Sacramento (Opus West). Visit www.opuseast.com for more information on the company and its community involvement in our region.

Sears Holdings
RT National's Veterans Housing Initiative was created to meet the growing needs of veterans from past and current wars. The initiative serves to fill the gaps in housing modifications and repair services that retired and active service men and women struggle to meet; many veterans helped by RT have been wounded in service to their country. Heroes at Home^SM is a joint effort between Sears Holdings and Rebuilding Together focused on improving the lives of military families in need across the United States. Sears and Kmart customers made gifts to the Heroes at Home^SM program in-store and on-line in the summer and late fall of 2007. These contributions combined with a direct $1 million grant from Sears total nearly $4 million. Accordingly, more than 300 military families across the country will benefit this year. Locally, through RTP, Sears and Kmart volunteers will make essential repairs for two homeowners this spring; one in North Philadelphia and one in Glenside. Sears Holdings has sponsored these projects and an initial grant supported a wide range of home improvements for a homeowner in South Philadelphia this past fall. For more information on this national partnership, visit www.sears.com or www.rebuildingtogether.org.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
Rebuilding Together Philadelphia was one of five major partners in the Federation's Mitzvah Mania 2007 project. On October 21 hundreds of volunteers from the Jewish community performed "mitzvahs" (good deeds), simultaneously, all over Greater Philadelphia. Funded by the Federation's Real Estate Group, Mitzvah Mania volunteers undertook a Block Build, helping 11 senior homeowners in South Philadelphia by making essential home repairs and weatherizing their homes. Volunteers also cleaned up two lots and two parks, including Mifflin Square. This project is part of an ongoing effort of the Jewish Federation to help seniors remain vibrant in their own homes. In fact, RTP and the Federation are already planning for Mitzvah Mania 2008, which will take place on November 2 in Northeast Philadelphia at the Klein Center and its immediate environs. For more information and a photo slide show of Mitzvah Mania 2007, visit The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.