Rebuilding Together and Crate and Barrel Revitalize Women's Shelter and Senior Center in Chicago

CHICAGO, Oct. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Saturday, October 12, 100 associates from home furnishings retailer Crate and Barrel will join with Rebuilding Together, a Safe and Healthy Housing organization that believes Community Starts at Home, to revitalize Maria Shelter and Vincennes Senior Center.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090421/REBUILDINGLOGO)  

Maria Shelter and Vincennes Senior Center share a large building servicing women, children and seniors in the Englewood neighborhood. Maria Shelter is a 50-bed interim housing facility for women and children. Each year, the facility provides food, shelter and programs to promote health and wellness for more than 230 women and children. In addition, more than 100 men and women from the neighborhood enjoy exercise, classes, and a variety of activities each week at the Vincennes Senior Center. The area's senior citizens look forward to the companionship and assistance they find at the center, from learning how to file taxes online to having their blood pressure taken.

During the workday, 150 Crate and Barrel volunteers will join Rebuilding Together's Metro Chicago affiliate to replace all the mattresses and bedding in the dorm rooms, upgrade the donation center with new racks and sorting tables, repair and paint a wheelchair ramp, landscape the yard and playground area, and paint throughout the building.

"We are thrilled to partner with Crate and Barrel in renovating the Maria Shelter and Vincennes Senior Center, which provide so much good for women, children and seniors in the local community," said Charley Shimanski, president and CEO of Rebuilding Together. "We are especially thankful for the willingness of Crate and Barrel employees to roll up their sleeves and take part in the hard work being done to rebuild these spaces in addition to financially supporting our mission."

In 2012, Crate and Barrel pledged a minimum of $1.5 million over three years to Rebuilding Together. Throughout the partnership, Crate and Barrel and Rebuilding Together are joining forces to support - with both financial contributions and volunteers - national "build" projects that will provide critical repairs, accessibility modifications and energy-efficient upgrades for low-income homeowners and community centers at no cost to recipients.

About Crate and Barrel:
Working directly with European ateliers and factories to import their products, Crate and Barrel was among the first North American companies to make contemporary tabletop and kitchenware designs affordable to consumers. Now in its 50th year, Crate and Barrel is a multi-channel family of brands and an internationally-recognized industry leader, known for exclusive housewares and furniture designs, excellent value and superb customer service. To learn more about Crate and Barrel, visit www.crateandbarrel.com.

About Rebuilding Together:
Rebuilding Together is a Safe and Healthy Housing organization that believes Community Starts at Home. Our focus provides critical repairs, accessibility modifications and energy efficient upgrades to low-income homes and community centers at no cost to service recipients. Our impact extends beyond the individuals served to revitalize and stabilize vulnerable neighborhoods and communities across the country. Our 187 local affiliates complete more than 10,000 rebuild projects a year thanks to the efforts of 100,000 volunteers from corporate partners, skilled trades professionals and everyday good citizens. Join us — visit www.RebuildingTogether.org.

SOURCE Rebuilding Together