Renovation Alliance (RA) is set to hold its annual Community Renovation Day this Saturday, October 5th. Approximately 150 volunteers will participate in the service event to repair the homes of 9 individuals and families in need, free of charge. This event helps bring awareness to Renovation Alliance’s mission: to meet the critical and necessary home repair needs of low-income homeowners in the Roanoke Valley area through volunteer and community engagement. This event will also help the organization mark its 25th year of service to the Roanoke Valley area.
In 1999, members of the Roanoke community concerned with the lack of home repair and maintenance options for homeowners in need in the City of Roanoke joined together to establish the organization, then known as “Christmas in April”. That year, volunteers repaired the homes of 5 neighbors in need. Over the years, the organization has grown to better meet the home repair needs of low-income homeowners in the City of Roanoke and its surrounding counties. Now in its 25th year of service, Renovation Alliance has a dedicated staff and Board of Directors, a robust volunteer base, supportive public and private funding partners, and strong relationships with local contractors and building companies. In 2024, Renovation Alliance completed repairs on its 1,700th home in the Roanoke Valley area.
“Renovation Alliance is a product of the Roanoke community”, said Kendall Cloeter, Executive Director of Renovation Alliance. When reflecting on the organization’s 25-year history, Cloeter remarked, “Roanoke is a generous community that takes care of its neighbors. Renovation Alliance itself was started by a group of concerned citizens and its mission continues to be carried forward by members of the community”.
Community Renovation Day will be held this Saturday, October 5th and engages community members in the effort to improve housing quality in the Roanoke Valley for persons who would otherwise be unable to afford necessary repairs. This work is made possible by financial support from the CSX Foundation, MKB Realtors, City of Roanoke, Freedom First Credit Union, Kiwanis Club of Roanoke, Grandin Court Baptist Church, and MemberOne Credit Union.
“The work completed during this event is critical to meeting the home repair needs of homeowners in our community,” said Kendall Cloeter. “During the event, volunteers from local businesses, churches, and community groups will join together to complete repairs that rebuild warm, safe, dry, and accessible homes.” Volunteers involved in the event will make significant donations of their time, energy, and expertise to make tangible impacts on the health and safety of homeowners in need, preservation of affordable housing, and community revitalization.
The work of Renovation Alliance is not done. “Many homeowners across the Roanoke Valley are in desperate need of critical home repairs,” said Cloeter. “We’re talking constantly about the need for more affordable housing and improvements to our existing affordable housing stock nationwide and right here in the Roanoke Valley. Each year, we receive more than 300 applications from homeowners in our area in need of significant home repairs that they themselves cannot afford. This year, we’re doing all we can to address the needs of at least 100 of those homeowners. There is much, much more to do and it will take greater investment and partnership from our localities and businesses.”
Photographs taken during this event will be provided by Renovation Alliance with a post-event press release. Permission to distribute photographs of volunteers and homeowners obtained during this event has been provided.
CONTACT INFORMATION: Kendall Cloeter ([email protected]) or 540-400-0959.