Neighbors Helping Neighbors: National Rebuilding Day in Cook County

National Rebuilding Day is more than a day of service. It’s a reflection of our ongoing commitment to safe homes and communities for everyone. This year’s National Rebuilding Day mobilized thousands of volunteers and partners across the nation to complete major home repairs and modifications for neighbors within their communities.

This past weekend, Rebuilding Together affiliates came together for National Rebuilding Day: a culmination of 30 days of impact, community and critical home repairs. On Saturday, April 26, Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago brought our mission to life by working on 70 homes across Cook County, including 34 in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood and 36 in Maywood.

Among them was Ms. Barbara, a devoted grandmother who has lived in her home for over 42 years. After raising three children on her own and creating a beautiful garden inside and out, Ms. Barbara  has made her house a home. Volunteers worked to repair flooring, exterior doors and kitchen cabinets. They also installed safety features like handrails and grab bars and brightened her home with fresh paint and LED lighting. 

In Maywood, volunteers gathered at the home of Ms. Harriet, a former financial aid administrator and puzzle enthusiast who has made her house a place of comfort and care for 16 years. Facing new mobility challenges and a glaucoma diagnosis, Ms. Harriet needed support to make her home safer and more accessible. Volunteers installed new flooring, a raised toilet seat, upgraded kitchen and bath fixtures and vibrant landscaping to match her warm spirit.

Another special project took place at the home of Eddie and Ophelia. For this couple, their home is a legacy. Previously owned by Mr. Eddie’s sister, their house has been in their family for decades. Volunteers repaired kitchen ceiling tiles, secured handrails, installed a new water heater and completed plumbing and electrical upgrades to make it a safe, sustainable place for the couple to age comfortably.

Across all 70 homes, 43 sponsored projects and 27 Safe at Home repairs completed before and during National Rebuilding Day, Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago brought more than tools and paintbrushes. They brought hope, compassion and a renewed sense of community.

As National Rebuilding Month comes to a close, we’re proud to celebrate these efforts and the neighbors whose stories remind us why our mission matters: repairing homes, revitalizing communities and rebuilding lives.