Folsom, Calif. – (March 28, 2024) – A $15,000 community grant
awarded by SAFE Credit Union is aiding many residents in the Sacramento region to live safer and fuller lives.
The credit union recently awarded the funds to Rebuilding Together Sacramento’s Safe at
Home program dedicated to preventing seniors and those with disabilities from experiencing falls at home. The
program’s volunteers and staff build and install free safety improvements to the homes of qualifying area
residents including ramps, railings and grab bars.
“We have an aging population in the Sacramento area that are finding it harder and harder to do the things they
love. Much of that is because they can’t get in and out of their homes safely,” says Rebuilding Together
Sacramento Executive Director Bonnie Patterson. “Donors like SAFE Credit Union allow us to help more and more
people. We are very, very thankful to have received this grant.”
Rebuilding Together Sacramento Executive Director Bonnie Patterson
In 2023 Safe at Home volunteers and staff helped 623 area individuals in 400 homes in El Dorado,
Sacramento, San Joaquin counties and in West Sacramento.
Safe at Home volunteers Dan Ward of Carmichael and Stan Jones of the
Greenhaven/Pocket area install a handrail for a Sacramento resident in need of safer access in and out of her
home.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in four
older adults over 65 experienced a fall in 2020 – equating to an average of 3 million subsequent
visits to emergency rooms each year. The CDC also reports that at least one out of five falls can cause serious
injuries resulting in adverse quality of life situations for patients, including difficulty getting around, doing
everyday activities, and living independently.
“SAFE Credit Union has a long history of helping improve the health of residents through philanthropy in the
communities we serve,” says SAFE Credit Union Vice President of Community Relations and Financial
Education Rebecca
Delmundo. “This grant exemplifies that, and we are so glad to have been able to support such a
time-tested nonprofit.”
Founded in 1991, Rebuilding Together Sacramento works to fill the need and enhance affordable housing for older
adults and those with disabilities. Along with its Safe at Home program, the nonprofit works with partners to
revitalize neighborhoods and reduce energy costs for seniors, as well as works individually with families and
children through their programs in addition to seniors and those with disabilities.
“If you go in and install a handrail or a grab bar, a lot of times the folks are just so
grateful and so thankful and are just delightful people,” says Safe at Home volunteer Dan Ward of Carmichael.
“It’s good just helping folks out.”
Volunteer Stan Jones of the Greenhaven-Pocket area says he has put in hundreds of grab bars in the 12 years
he’s worked as a volunteer. “The clients are very grateful for the help that they receive, and our work
prevents falls,” Jones says.
Safe at Home construction volunteers Stan Jones and Dan Ward meet at Rebuilding
Together Sacramento's Workshop before going on a job.
Rebuilding Together Sacramento’s grant was one of two grants selected by a public vote to receive
$15,000. Foster Youth Education Fund also received a $15,000 grant for
its program supporting former foster youth in the Sacramento region with financial scholarships, as well as laptops
for students enrolling or attending a college, university or trade school.
SAFE provides grant funding in four cycles each year, including financial literacy. For more information on the
latest cycle’s focus and application click here or visit: https://www.safecu.org/community/community-impact/funding.
Collage at Rebuilding Together Sacramento’s Tahoe Park offices and workshop
displays work done to help prevent falls.
For more information email [email protected].
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About SAFE
SAFE Credit Union has made members an integral part of its vision since 1940. Over the years the credit union has
kept the focus on what really matters, putting members first, a formula that has seen SAFE grow into a leading
financial institution in Northern California with $4.7 billion in assets and about 236,000 members. SAFE crafts
every cutting-edge product and sterling service with members’ needs foremost in mind. In addition to banking
services conveniently available through online, chat, mobile, or phone options, SAFE offers in-person services for
members and small businesses at service centers across the Greater Sacramento region. SAFE is a not-for-profit,
state-chartered credit union with membership open to businesses and individuals living or working in Sacramento,
Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Sutter, Butte, Nevada, Solano, San Joaquin, Contra Costa, Yuba, Amador, and Alameda
counties. Insured by NCUA. www.safecu.org