Rebuilding Together to Receive $100,000 Donation from Unum to Provide Essential Home Repairs in Communities of Color
ATLANTA, November 8, 2023 – Rebuilding Together, the leading national nonprofit providing essential home repairs and revitalizing communities, today announced a $100,000 donation from international workplace benefits provider, Unum. The partnership will focus on addressing urgent housing challenges in communities of color.
The partnership is part of an effort to decrease the racial wealth gap in the U.S. and support more Black homeowners with building and maintaining generational wealth through homeownership. The partnership kicked off today when approximately 26 volunteers from Unum, Rebuilding Together and the community came together to repair a home in Smyrna, Ga.
“Rebuilding Together’s work to preserve safe and affordable homeownership is one part of a larger battle to maintain generational wealth in low-income families and families of color that have historically been prevented from accruing a sufficient wealth safety net,” said Caroline Blakely, President and CEO of Rebuilding Together. “Our approach to closing the Black homeownership gap helps stabilize communities in tandem with providing access to education and employment opportunities.”
Local nonprofit Rebuilding Together Atlanta received a $20,000 grant to provide transformative repairs that include siding replacement, deck repairs, smoke detector installation, accessibility modifications, handrail installation and more. The repairs will help ensure a safe, secure and accessible home for two neighbors who have lived in their home for more than 20 years.
Nationwide, the persistent decline in Black homeownership threatens to exacerbate racial inequality for decades to come. Homeownership plays a larger role in creating wealth for Black families than it does for white families. According to the 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances, housing equity makes up nearly 60 percent of total net worth for Black homeowners, compared with 43 percent of total net worth for white homeowners.
“At Unum, we foster relationships with organizations like Rebuilding Together who empower individuals and families, regardless of background, to thrive and prosper,” said Cary Olson Cartwright, Assistant Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at Unum. “Through our partnership, we support building strong and sustainable communities. Together, we're making a meaningful impact!”
For more information about the partnership, follow Rebuilding Together on social media or visit: https://rebuildingtogether.org/corporate-partners.
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About Rebuilding Together
Rebuilding Together is the leading national nonprofit organization repairing the homes of people in need and revitalizing our communities. Through its national network of affiliates, Rebuilding Together works proactively and collaboratively with community leaders, long-term residents, funders, and volunteers to foster dialogue and create safe, healthy communities across the country. Learn more and get involved at rebuildingtogether.org | Twitter: @RebldgTogthr
About Unum Group
Unum Group (NYSE: UNM), an international provider of workplace benefits and services, has been helping workers and their families for 175 years. Through its Unum and Colonial Life brands, the company offers disability, life, accident, critical illness, dental, vision and stop-loss insurance; leave and absence management support and behavioral health services. In 2022, Unum reported revenues of about $12 billion and paid $8 billion in benefits. The Fortune 500 company is one of the 2023 World’s Most Ethical Companies, recognized by Ethisphere®.
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