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YOUTHBUILD BOSTON STUDENTS TO WORK
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Aspiring carpenters to help revive foreclosed Roxbury Roxbury, MA, June 2, 2009 – Construction students at Roxbury’s YouthBuild Boston have landed an opportunity that will be the envy of many seasoned pros: working with the master carpenters and professional contractors from the PBS home improvement series This Old House. Two students will work on the full renovation of a foreclosed and vacant Roxbury home from start to finish, while others from the organization will have the opportunity to assist the This Old House crew at different points throughout the process. This Old House has partnered with the City of Boston and local non-profit Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation to make it all possible. Upon completion, the property will offer two units of affordable housing for deserving families. Work is now underway. In honor of its 30th anniversary, producers of the Emmy-winning television series have selected this property as one of two new projects in the Boston area, where the show is based. “We’re truly honored to be featured on This Old House,” said Ken Smith, Executive Director of YouthBuild Boston. “It really says a lot about this locally produced show, to look into the community and recognize the work that we’re doing. To involve YouthBuild Boston is a huge compliment. It really gives us an opportunity to demonstrate what valuable resources young people can be to their communities and the great pride they have in their work.” “The foreclosure crisis has been in the headlines, and it will also go down in the history books as one of the most challenging periods in the timeline of homeownership in America,” said This Old House producer Deborah Hood. “In Boston, we’ve fared better than some other cities but there are still hundreds of foreclosed and abandoned properties awaiting development, and displaced homeowners awaiting assistance. We know this is a relevant and important story nationally and we felt it’s one we needed to share with our viewers.” Boston’s Mayor Thomas M. Menino considers Roxbury to be one of the hardest hit areas for foreclosures in the City and is actively encouraging renovation to help stabilize neighborhoods that are at risk of slipping into dangerous decline. “We’re pleased that This Old House has come back to its roots to feature a project that is really relevant to the work that we’re doing here in Boston around the issue of foreclosure,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “This once-beautiful home in Roxbury is an example of the devastation that foreclosure can cause in our neighborhoods. Working with Nuestra Comunidad and other local organizations, we’re bringing this home back to life.” The Roxbury home is an architectural gem that, despite its dilapidated condition, still has much of its period detail and charm intact. The This Old House experts will work with members of the community, like general contractor David Lopes and architect Micheal Washington, to fully rehabilitate the property from top to bottom. The project is shaping up to be one of the most significant transformations ever featured on the show. “This project truly is a neighborhood effort, as revitalizing this area is important to not only the City but locals in the community as well,” said Hood. “It’s a special partnership that we’re privileged to highlight during our 30th anniversary season.” The new season of This Old House premieres nationally on PBS Thursday, October 8, 2009. Episodes featuring the Roxbury project begin airing in the second half of the season in early 2010. The project also will be featured in upcoming issues of This Old House magazine. Details for the other 30th anniversary project are scheduled to be announced by This Old House producers in the coming weeks. About YouthBuild Boston YouthBuild Boston media contact: Copyright © 2007 YouthBuild Boston. All Rights Reserved. |
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