2015 Year In Review

Thursday, December 31, 2015

2015 has been a busy and wonderful year for Project Raise The Roof…

  • We prevented 7 families’ homes from becoming LRA property.
  • We turned 4 families into homeowners.
  • We assisted 5 buyers in using tax auction laws [originally intended to be stacked against them] in their favor.
  • We educated over 2 dozen homeowners on paying their property taxes, helped them with documentation, transportation, and navigating municipal processes, and kept their homes off the auction block.
  • We gave a property to a local charity which focuses on empowering economically/educationally disadvantaged families.
  • We are still working to retain homes for 2 clients…and the effort resumes the moment City Hall opens on Monday, 01/04/16.
  • And all of the above was accomplished with an all-volunteer crew and less than $5,000 in donations!

All thanks to your involvement and generosity!  Project Raise The Roof is awed by our outstanding volunteers, supporters, and donors.  Although we weren’t able to help every single family who needed us, we look forward to doing even more community outreach in 2016!  Thank you to everyone—in the City, the County, and across the country—who has supported our mission in any way.  After all, it takes a village to rebuild a city.  Much love to STL, and Happy New Year from PRTR!

 

Given A Chance Is Given A Property

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Today, Project Raise The Roof gave a property to Given A Chance, a local 501(c)3 organization formed to help underprivileged teenagers, families, and young men and women build character and reach their full potential, to mold them into the future leaders of our society.  PRTR and GAC will be working together to transform the space into a computer lab and tutoring center with around-the-clock mentors for troubled teens, struggling students, and young parents who want something more than just a daycare for their children.  We look forward to bringing this project to life!  Happy holidays from Project Raise The Roof and Given A Chance, Inc.!

Sam Works Hard to Keep His House

Saturday, December 05, 2015

Our Army Iraq veteran, Sam, had a few hours with the kids before he went into work at 5pm today. So he took his sons along to help him with an emergency vehicle repair to earn some money for his back taxes. He showed the boys how to replace brake pads/calipers and bleed the lines.  Since then, several people have requested Sam’s on-site* mechanical expertise.  Sam must have his entire tax payment of $947 before January 14, 2016 in order to keep his house from the LRA.  If you’d like to make a donation or have a job for him, please text or call PRTR at 314.467.0127 or e-mail our executive director at [email protected] for Sam’s contact information.

(Please note: Donations made to assist with real estate taxes are not tax-deductible. Also, on-site repairs work best if you live on a low-traffic street, or have a yard or driveway where the work can be done safely and without inconveniencing your neighbors.)

Sam, Army Iraq Veteran, Keeps His House

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Today, we went to our court hearing to request a continuance on confirming Sam’s property into the name of the LRA.  Outside the courtroom, Sam said to us, “I already told my boys this Christmas is–whew!–well, it’s gonna be tight.  They’re not getting much this year. But I think they understand.”

This father of two sons is an able-bodied, employed Army veteran who served two tours in Iraq. He paid off a $10,000 mortgage on this house in under 3 years, only to face losing it to the LRA over just $947 in unpaid real estate taxes.  Civil rights attorney Eric Vickers has taken Sam’s case pro bono to ask the court for more time, so that Sam can save up the money.  He’s working as many shifts as he can, but the judge will accept no less than the full payment amount..

We only have one more chance to raise the funds, or Sam’s property will go to the LRA on January 14, 2016.  If you can, please donate so this St. Louis family can enjoy their holidays and keep their house.  Thanks in advance, everyone!

Veteran’s Week Bake Sale: A Success!

 

Veteran’s Week Bake Sale: A Success!

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Earlier this year, Mr. Fisher lost his home to the LRA.  Within 24 hours, we raised most of the money to buy it back, and attended an LRA meeting to learn the application process for purchasing LRA property.  But we were still a couple hundred dollars short, so our stellar Project Raise The Roof volunteer, Cherie, decided to make Veterans Day last an entire week by whipping up some goodies for the PRTR Veteran’s Week Bake Sale to benefit Mr. Fisher.  She delivered tasty treats from November 11th–18th.  Supporters placed delivery orders for themselves, their friends, and veterans to show appreciation for their service.  Cherie was able to raise all the necessary funds, and we look forward to working with the LRA to get his home back!  LRA meetings are open to the public, and we hope you’ll join us when Mr. Fisher’s paperwork is complete and our proposal is up for review.  Stay tuned for the meeting date…and keep your fingers crossed for Mr. Fisher!

 

Deputies, Donors, and Clients

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

This evening, PRTR clients and donors met at Julia Davis Library for our first Uplifting Networking Event.  Deputies Jennings and Gower from the Sheriff’s Department joined us to explain the tax auction process.  We shared skills, stories, information, inspiration, and a few laughs! Excellent conversations had and connections made.  Looking forward to the next meet-up in January 2016.
 

“If everyone is able to pay their taxes or come to the auctions and purchase these vacant buildings,” said Deputy Jennings, “that puts me out of a job. And I would be happy about that! It would mean everything in our city is going well.”

Announcing PRTR’s First Uplifting Networking Event

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

PRTR serves many different families and individuals in a variety of circumstances.  Every client is unique.  This is your chance to connect with other PRTR clients and share your story with people who can relate in a non-judgmental environment.  It’s time to lift the stigma of poverty, recognize the bureaucratic barriers many low-income citizens face, and offer one another strength, compassion, and solidarity. You are not just a client; you are a friend!

Many of our clients have already connected to help one another in direct and practical ways—home repairs, transportation for critical errands, job opportunities, and more.

By creating a supportive community, making new friends, and building a strong coalition of neighbors, we will unite to end the City’s unjust practices against low-income homeowners.

PRTR will host regular Uplifting Networking Events in the near future. We hope you can join us for our first meeting!  Please call or text 314.467.0127 to RSVP by November 8th.  (If you would like to join us, but need a ride…just let us know.)  We want to see your face and hear your voice!

Date:  Tuesday, November 10th, 2015

Time:  6:00pm – 7:30pm

Location:  Julia Davis Library – 4415 Natural Bridge Avenue, St. Louis MO, 63115

Coffee and light snacks provided. Feel free to invite friends or bring the kids to do their homework on the computers or browse books in the Children’s Section!

In Unity and Solidarity,

Natalie Vowell

Founder, Executive Director

Project Raise The Roof

Meet Mr. Fisher – “They Kicked In My Door…”

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

A Vietnam combat veteran with 8 years Navy service, Mr. Fisher was the first African-American nuclear power plant operator to serve aboard a submarine and is currently the Vice Commander of the Tom Powell Post # 77 – American Legion.

Recently widowed, Mr. Fisher has owned this home for 25 years, owes no mortgage, and lives here with his first and only child, his 7-year-old daughter.  Mr. Fisher supports the two of them on a Social Security income of $750/month, and lost his home to the City for less than $2000 in unpaid property taxes.

Yesterday, the St. Louis City LRA (Land Reutilization Authority) kicked in his door, and told him he has one week to move out…unless he comes up with the entire $2000 in the next 6 days. Our veterans deserve better.  We hope you’ll join the effort to prevent Mr. Fisher and his young daughter from being added to St. Louis City’s homeless population.

 

UPDATE: September 30 – Within 12 hours, we raised over $1300, and the LRA has agreed to allow Mr. Fisher to remain in his home for the time being.

UPDATE: November 12 – We’ve raised the full amount needed to proceed with giving him a clear path back to ownership of his home.  Awaiting application paperwork and a meeting date from the LRA…

Mr. A Meets Miss Debra

Monday, August 24, 2015

Last week, we assisted Mr. A in getting a few dollars together, updating his driver’s license, and obtaining other paperwork necessary to enter a payment agreement with the Collector of Revenue in order to save his home from the auction block.  En route to City Hall, he asked what other kinds of work PRTR does.  When Mr. A heard about another one of our clients, Miss Debra, and her upcoming surgery/recovery, he could not bear that she had no air conditioning in her home.  He told us he had a spare window unit to give her, and asked only for transportation to get it to her house and install it in the window of her choice.

Today, Mr. A heaved his A/C into the backseat and hauled it over to the Miss Debra’s home.  At Miss Debra’s front door, the two were introduced for the very first time, and Mr. A immediately set to work.  Miss Debra sat on her bed, recovering from her latest doctor’s visit as Mr. A installed her new window unit.  Once it began pumping a cool breeze into Miss Debra’s bedroom, she perked up: “Thank you, oh, thank you!”  She handed him a few dollars and insisted, “Now, young man, you go buy yourself a soda-pop.”  As it turns out, these two live only a few blocks from one another.  This is what building strong neighborhoods looks like!

Mr. A Meets Miss Debra

Monday, August 24, 2015

Last month, we assisted Mr. A in keeping his home from going to auction.  En route to City Hall, he asked what other kinds of work PRTR does.  When Mr. A heard about another one of our clients, Miss Debra, and her upcoming surgery/recovery, he could not bear that she had no air conditioning in her home.  He told us he had a spare window unit to give her, and asked only for transportation to get it to her house and install it in the window of her choice.

Today, Mr. A heaved his A/C into the backseat and hauled it over to the Miss Debra’s home.  At Miss Debra’s front door, the two were introduced for the very first time, and Mr. A immediately set to work.  Miss Debra sat on her bed, recovering from her latest doctor’s visit as Mr. A installed her new window unit.  Once it began pumping a cool breeze into Miss Debra’s bedroom, she perked up: “Thank you, oh, thank you!”  She handed him a few dollars and insisted, “Now, young man, you go buy yourself a soda-pop.”  As it turns out, these two live only a few blocks from one another.  This is what building strong neighborhoods looks like!