First Ever Spectrum Housing Assist Event Aids Local Resident

The very first Spectrum Housing Assist Event took place on Saturday, April 7. Spectrum and Rebuilding Together hosted the event to help renovate a local resident’s home in Long Beach’s east side. The project helped out Nancy Juarez, a woman who struggles financially to keep her house. She has had two knee replacements and suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

More than 40 volunteers from Spectrum, Rebuilding Together, and the Long Beach Police Department East came together to help with the home renovation. The project included adding Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) elements to the home to aid Nancy with everyday life.

“Walking is extremely difficult for her and getting up and down is extremely difficult,” said Terri Griffith, Rebuilding Together’s President. “Getting up and down of an ADA toilet, which is much higher than a regular toilet is much easier for her.”

Rebuilding Together, one of the main contributors to the project, is a nonprofit community revitalization organization. They opened their national office in 1988, and they have roughly 100,000 volunteers that complete around 100,000 rebuild projects across the nation every year. They are continuing to partner with Spectrum to help with the Spectrum Housing Assist Events.

“The goal for the company is to give back to the communities that we serve,” said Spectrum Senior Director of Communications Dennis Johnson.

More than two-thirds of homeowners are planning on renovating, according to a recent survey. Spectrum is seeking to improve 50,000 homes by 2020, and they have the opportunity to make a huge impact on those needing home renovations.

During the home renovation project for Juarez, volunteers passed out more than 150 Safe and Healthy Home Kits to neighbors and residents of the area. The kits included home items like first aid kits, smoke alarms, waterproof sealant, LED night lights, and disinfecting wipes.

Monica Juarez, Nancy’s daughter, said, “Everything that’s being done is a miracle. These types of things change lives and they really do help people.”