Friday, March 14, 2008

Nonprofit builds up from within
When housing rehab agency needed a leader, it didn't have to go far

by LEIGH HORNBECK, Staff writer
First published: Friday, March 14, 2008

SCHUYLERVILLE -- The board of Rebuilding Together Saratoga County recently named the group's founder, Michelle Larkin, as its executive director.

Larkin brought home the idea of Rebuilding Together in 2003 from her trips around the country as a chaperone to service groups.

Since its inception in Saratoga County, it has served 165 people and completed 99 projects. Last year alone, the group completed 47 projects in 39 homes and eight nonprofits.

Larkin, 48, said the organization runs on about $200,000 a year and the board decided someone should work full time to keep the work running smoothly.

To volunteer or find out more, go to http://www.rebuildingto gethersaratoga.com.

Larkin answered a few questions during in an interview with the Times Union:

Times Union: Of all the projects Rebuilding Together has done since its inception in Saratoga, which have been the most memorable?

Larkin: A memorable project last spring was for a lovely elderly woman named Nancy. She lives alone, her husband passed away and was struggling with normal upkeep, but also had some major issues such as her roof was leaking and a few floors were sinking in. She was so kind and appreciative to her volunteer crews, who worked many days on her site. She encouraged her teenaged grandson to help, and he couldn't do enough -- he even helped on another work site for someone else last spring, wanting to give back to someone else because we had helped his grandmother.

TU: Is Rebuilding Together like Habitat for Humanity?

Larkin: Habitat for Humanity builds new homes for people. RTSC helps to preserve affordable housing in the county by offering free home repairs to folks who are low-income, elderly or disabled. Our work helps them be able to stay in their home

TU: As a founder and now executive director, do you actually pound nails and paint walls?

Larkin: I have always done whatever needed to be done, so yes, I've painted and pounded nails. I'm not very handy that way, so no one is usually begging me to come on their site!

TU: What do you think of "Extreme Makeover, Home Edition?"

Larkin: Any program that reaches out and helps people live in a better environment is a good thing. It's called Extreme, because it's not something that can be done for many people. It did bring attention to our program, which deals with normal repairs helping folks stay in their homes.

TU: Is it hard to recruit volunteers or do you struggle to find work for everyone who wants to help?

Larkin: RTSC has been able to have an impact in the county because it brings the community together to help their neighbor in need. We are very fortunate that so many folks -- community leaders, businesses, service groups, teenagers, everyone wants to take part in helping out. If there's a struggle, it's in finding the perfect place to put people, so it's a positive experience for them and the homeowner or nonprofit facility.

Leigh Hornbeck can be reached at 454-5352 or by e-mail at lhornbeck@timesunion.com.