Our Mission:

Bringing volunteers and communities together to improve the homes and lives of people in need.

RTOC and Rodeway Inn Revitalize a Veteran’s Home

BUENA PARK, Calif., Oct. 9 - Tomorrow, volunteers will dedicate their time to help one family in our community keep their home and its value by making critical home repairs.  The Arnolds, a multi-generational family, will be receiving services at no cost.  Their household includes two combat veterans, Tariq Barafwala who recently returned from the Afghanistan war and Ralph Arnold, the patriarch of the household, who served as a Vietnam-era air force sergeant.  Mr. Arnold currently suffers from severe health problems and physical disabilities which confine him to a wheel chair.  Rebuilding Together Orange County and Rodeway Inn volunteers will paint the home’s exterior, repair a gate, install a wheel chair accessible ramp, complete kitchen repairs, install a security screen door, widen the master bathroom doorway and provide other ADA modifications to help ensure the Arnolds remain safe and independent in the home they love.

This project is one of four Rebuilding Together projects awarded a grant by the Rodeway Inn Owners Association focusing on repairing the homes of low-income families. The partnership—named “Room to Rebuild”—is part of the ongoing commitment by Choice Hotels to strengthen local communities, in which their associates and franchisees live, work and provide hospitality.

“To be a part of the community means you roll up your sleeves and work with neighbors to help make the lives of others better,” said Steve Carpenter, RTOC Executive Director. “Through these efforts, Choice Hotels and Rebuilding Together are committed to preserving and revitalizing the homes of the elderly, persons with disabilities, veterans and lower income families.”

Rebuilding Together is focused on preserving affordable homeownership for America’s millions of low income families. “Through this rebuild project, we’re making sure that homeowners in our community can keep their home, remain independent and live in conditions that meet basic health, comfort and safety needs.  These families do not have the financial or physical ability to complete these fundamental and critical projects so it’s up to Rebuilding Together and our volunteers to make it all possible,” said Mary Bloom-Ramos, RTOC Project Development Manager.