This year local ABC members sponsored The Rose of Lima House, a center for homeless women transitioning to permanent housing.

At another site, representatives from American Council of Engineering Companies of Washington (ACEC) repaired furnace and ductwork, replaced a kitchen fan, patched drywall, installed grab bars in both bathrooms, cleaned and repaired gutters and did major yard clean-up.

At still another home a team from Ledcor and two other groups worked for several weeks, installing a furnace, replacing windows, upgrading plumbing and completing other major repairs.

A unique benefit that the construction industry brings to RTS is the Skilled Worker Action (SWAT) Teams, an effort headed by Lynda Carey Boyle, of Housing Resources Group. More than 50 workers provided skilled assisted in 32 projects throughout the day.

"Rebuilding Together does far more than home repairs on one day in April," said John Thuma, executive director of the Seattle chapter. "This year the organization has initiated its HOMES Program - a year round effort to address home modifications such as accessibility work and emergency repairs that can't wait until one of the two Rebuilding Days in the spring and fall."

One of the organization's goals is to help low-income elderly and disabled homeowners to safely stay in their homes, and with the new program it is coordinating volunteers nearly every month of the year.