RC&D- Emergency Repair Project

New York and New Jersey Young People to Spend Week Making Emergency Home Repairs in Sussex County, DE

WHAT:
A group of 57 young people from the Presbytery of Utica (New York) and Old Greenwich Presbyterian Church (New Jersey) will spend a week hammering nails and repairing floors, windows and doors on 10 homes in need of emergency repairs in Sussex County, Delaware. The event is sponsored by the Emergency Home Repair Project of the First State Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D), Inc.

WHO:
57 Young people, ages 14-18, and 20 adult leaders
First State RC&D staff
Homeowners (clients) of the Emergency Home Repair Project who are elderly or disabled

WHEN:
Volunteers will arrive Monday, July 7 and begin emergency repairs from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

WHERE:
The main gathering site for volunteers is Lewes Presbyterian Church, Lewes, DE.
        An appreciation picnic will be held Friday, July 11, at 12:30 p.m. to recognize the volunteers’ efforts. It will be held at the Cape Henlopen State Park (Main Pavilion) in Lewes.

BACKGROUND:
The Emergency Home Repair Project was initiated in 1991 and founded on the idea that neighbors would be willing to help fellow neighbors in need. This project serves very low-income homeowners in Kent, Sussex and lower New Castle counties by assisting in the elimination of conditions that present an immediate safety and/or health risk.

The Project works with volunteers from a variety of community groups including churches, local organizations, businesses, colleges and high schools. “This emergency repair project is a great way for young people to get involved in rebuilding communities while also building life skills,” said Bill Bell, RC&D Coordinator. The RC&D is a program of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Project partners include the Presbytery of Utica (New York), Old Greenwich Presbyterian Church (New Jersey), Delaware State Housing Authority, Southeast Sussex Ministerium, Lewes Presbyterian Church, Senior Employment Program, Sussex County Council, and other local donors.

Reporters interested in covering either event should contact an RC&D staffer at 302-222-4084 or 302-674-1963. For additional details on the RC&D program, visit www.de.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ and click on ‘Resource Conservation and Development’ or visit www.rcdhomerepair.org/ for details on the project.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

...Back to News

News

NEWS ADVISORY