More Than a Ramp: Restoring Safety, Independence, and Hope

Rebuild Upstate exclusively serves low-income residents, mostly older adult neighbors living on fixed incomes like Social Security or disability payments. This income is just barely enough to buy groceries and important medications. In fact, a recent Enterprise report noted that 1 in 4 cost-burdened U.S. households have gone without food or heat just to keep their lights on. As the cost of living continues to rise, there’s very little left behind for low-income folks to create savings to afford necessary home repairs.

When their home falls into disrepair, community members have an increased risk of health issues or potential displacement. Thanks to donors and volunteers, Rebuild Upstate can repair homes back to safety for low-income neighbors so that they can remain in the communities they love.

Homeowners like Mr. Ted – a former New York City firefighter and chauffeur, who loves his family and growing plants. He left New York City for South Carolina about 20 years ago to be closer to family after serving 21 years in New York and New Jersey. He has many fond memories of his time at the station and especially during his time as a chauffeur, when he gave rides to many interesting characters and a few celebrities (actors Joe Pesci and Robert De Niro).

Around the age of 30, a bad fire engine crash left Mr. Ted with a debilitating injury that resulted in his right leg being amputated years later due to increasing pain and frequent falls. 

Like many older homes, his was not built to accommodate living with a disability. He had only one ramp entrance and steps on the backside of the house. Both porches were weather-damaged, with boards popping up and leaning handrails. The porch was held together with only small nails – no screws. The deck floor joists were rotting and needed to be completely rebuilt. As a wheelchair user, Mr. Ted desperately needed safe, reliable access to his home. 

Every visit to the porch to get some sunshine, water plants, or simply greet a neighbor became a risk, and Mr. Ted did fall a few times due to the unstable floorboards. He knew he needed to ask for help, and he did.

Mr. Ted’s new ramps were built by volunteers from F3 Anderson and Veterans United Home Loans through Rebuild Upstate in 2023 and 2026, respectively. On what he’d like to say to these volunteers, Mr. Ted simply says, “Y’all are a godsend.”

Mr. Ted was sure to take lots of before, during, and after project photos on his phone to remember the day his ramp was built. 

“You guys are a very, very big stepping stone in helping me recover.”

Rebuild Upstate has served over 2,100 older adults, many of whom live with chronic illness or a disability. All live on limited income. When donors and volunteers give to our home repair program, they enable us to restore functionality to the homes of these neighbors, allowing them to make the best decisions they can with what they have. Plus, they can remain safe in the homes they love.