Organization Making a Difference by Rebuilding

By Melissa Maynarich, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- One organization's commitment to fixing the homes of the elderly is making all the difference.

In Southwest Oklahoma City, Rebuilding Together installed new windows at the home of Ofelia Martinez. The windows have restored security at the home and even warmth during the colder months.

"It's going to make a lot of difference because in the winter time, I won't have to put plastic over the windows and cover the holes like I used to," said Ofelia Martinez.

Rebuilding Together provides free home repairs, emergency restorations and home modifications for the elderly. Homebuilding companies around the Metro contribute labor to the cause, even when times are tough.

"Our business is down. We even as a group thought about cutting back on what we donate, and we just decided that those particular people that we were donating to were in a greater need than we were," said Karen Black of The Karen Black Company.

Workers from The Karen Black Company have been helping out for the past two years. They said some of the simplest changes have made the biggest impact.

"The door opening into her bathroom, she actually couldn't get in and out of her bathroom with her walker, so her son had to carry her in and out," Black said. "By widening that door, what it meant to the homeowner was that she could be much more independent and use the facilities," Black said.

Independence, safer mobility and in Martinez's case, greater comfort and security are hers because of a few new windows.

"Everybody that's come to do work has been very very nice, and I appreciate everything," Martinez said.

Learn more about Rebuilding Together OKC