REACH, WALSH and McDonald Wetle Come Together to Support a NE Portland Senior Homeowner
Longtime Northeast Portland resident, Marjorie, had a roof problem. After six years of resorting to inadequate patches, she began using buckets and towels to collect the water entering her home every time it rained. According to Marjorie, “Now it’s getting worse. There are two big holes in the ceiling and five more leaks coming through that need to be repaired.”
Marjorie contacted REACH’s Community Builders Program (CBP) for help. The CBP team has helped Marjorie with other home repair work in the past and knew getting the roof replaced was a big part of preserving her housing. “Usually, this scale of work is outside of the program’s scope and budget,” said Seth Lowe, CBP manager at REACH. “It was critical to collaborate with partners in the industry to support Marjorie’s effort to stay safe in her home.”
REACH teamed up with local contractors Walsh Construction, McDonald & Wetle, and Malarkey Roofing Products to make the necessary repairs for Marjorie’s home. “This support makes a significant impact on preserving safe and secure housing for homeowners like Marjorie,” said Lowe. “Partnerships like these are what builds strong communities.”
After months of pulling together resources, repairs were made to the damaged ceiling and walls caused by years of rain damage, and her entire roof was replaced. Each collaborator donated their time, skills, and thousands of dollars in materials to complete this work. A local sandwich shop, Sandy-O’s, donated lunch for this community-focused volunteer event.
According to Bennett Barnwell, senior project manager at WALSH and longtime REACH volunteer, “This repair provides Marjorie with peace of mind that when it rains, she will still have a safe and dry home for years to come. This project is a testament to the strength of our community and the possible outcomes from working together towards common goals. “
As we head into the rainy and snowy seasons ahead, Marjorie can rest easier knowing her roof will remain intact. “It means a lot to me. I’m so glad there are groups out there to help do this work. I’m thankful they chose to do my roof.”
