HAVERHILL - The Haverhill Clubhouse, where adults with mental illness gather for job training, support and camaraderie, needs to repair its Locust Street home.
The private, nonprofit Clubhouse is funded by the state Department of Mental Health and has launched a campaign to raise $50,000 for long overdue renovations to its building and grounds.
But it could use some help - and will get it later this month, when a crew of volunteers arrives with hammers and saws and a desire to make things better for Clubhouse members.
April 28 is Rebuilding Day, an annual event hosted by Rebuilding Together Greater Haverhill Inc.
On this day, Rebuilding Together will provide free home repairs and handicap modifications to 36 homeowners and nonprofit groups in Haverhill, Groveland, Georgetown, Merrimac and Plaistow, N.H.
The Haverhill Clubhouse is grateful to be on the list this year.
"Our needs are great, and Rebuilding Together will help by tackling two big repair projects out of the many that are needed," said Andrea Kwiatkowski, director of the Clubhouse.
A crew of volunteers led by local contractor Ray Parkhurst will replace and repair the tile floor in the dining room and remodel the front entry by moving a door and window to allow for greater privacy for the receptionist and clerical helpers.
Kwiatkowski said the work will save the Clubhouse thousands of dollars that can be spent on other remodeling projects, such as repairs to a handicap ramp and walkway and the refinishing of the recreation room's wood floors.
"Comcast volunteers will be helping as well, and will be painting walls and woodwork," Kwiatkowski said, "while members of Temple Emanu-El in Haverhill will be here the next day to build a raised vegetable garden for our members."
Rebuilding Together volunteers will also pay a visit to the home of a Haverhill man who has six children and, along with his wife, works long hours to make ends meet.
"His house currently does not have enough room for the kids, so he built an addition but does not have funding to finish it," said Kathy Boudreau, coordinator for Rebuilding Together.
Local lawyer Tim Barnes, one of the founders and a board member of Rebuilding Together, will serve as the work leader on that rebuilding project.
The private, nonprofit Clubhouse is funded by the state Department of Mental Health and has launched a campaign to raise $50,000 for long overdue renovations to its building and grounds.
But it could use some help - and will get it later this month, when a crew of volunteers arrives with hammers and saws and a desire to make things better for Clubhouse members.
April 28 is Rebuilding Day, an annual event hosted by Rebuilding Together Greater Haverhill Inc.
On this day, Rebuilding Together will provide free home repairs and handicap modifications to 36 homeowners and nonprofit groups in Haverhill, Groveland, Georgetown, Merrimac and Plaistow, N.H.
The Haverhill Clubhouse is grateful to be on the list this year.
"Our needs are great, and Rebuilding Together will help by tackling two big repair projects out of the many that are needed," said Andrea Kwiatkowski, director of the Clubhouse.
A crew of volunteers led by local contractor Ray Parkhurst will replace and repair the tile floor in the dining room and remodel the front entry by moving a door and window to allow for greater privacy for the receptionist and clerical helpers.
Kwiatkowski said the work will save the Clubhouse thousands of dollars that can be spent on other remodeling projects, such as repairs to a handicap ramp and walkway and the refinishing of the recreation room's wood floors.
"Comcast volunteers will be helping as well, and will be painting walls and woodwork," Kwiatkowski said, "while members of Temple Emanu-El in Haverhill will be here the next day to build a raised vegetable garden for our members."
Rebuilding Together volunteers will also pay a visit to the home of a Haverhill man who has six children and, along with his wife, works long hours to make ends meet.
"His house currently does not have enough room for the kids, so he built an addition but does not have funding to finish it," said Kathy Boudreau, coordinator for Rebuilding Together.
Local lawyer Tim Barnes, one of the founders and a board member of Rebuilding Together, will serve as the work leader on that rebuilding project.
Volunteers will also help a Haverhill widow who is recovering from two major cancer surgeries and can benefit from modifications to her bathroom, including grab bars, and a handrail for her cellar stairs.
Earl Corr, a carpentry instructor at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School, will lead this project with help from his students and other skilled volunteers. Corr has been involved with Rebuilding Together since its inception 15 years ago and was named the volunteer of the year a few years ago.
Rebuilding Together, a nonprofit organization, needs skilled tradesmen and women, including carpenters, plumbers, roofers, electricians, masons and painters, to volunteer to help. Unskilled workers are also needed for painting, yard work, food delivery and other tasks. Donations are also being accepted.
More information on volunteering or donating is available from Kathy Boudreau at 978-469-0800.
Donations may be mailed to Rebuilding Together, P.O. Box 5161, Haverhill, MA 01835.
About Rebuilding Together
Since 1991 the organization has provided over $1.8 million in repairs to more than 400 homes in Greater Haverhill.
The labor and materials donated by Rebuilding Together volunteers are valued at more than $175,000 annually.
The group relies on donations from individuals, businesses and foundations. It receives no federal or state money other than grants from the city of Haverhill and the town of Georgetown.
Its mission: To preserve and revitalize houses and communities assuring that low-income homeowners, particularly those who are elderly, disabled, and families with children, will live in warmth, safety and independence.
