Mark Ryerson

Background

About Mark Ryerson

Our story starts with your story. We're all in this together, and we work hard to support each other. For the people we help, our work makes a big difference in their lives. RTSC was founded in as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization originally called “Christmas in April.” We started by bringing volunteers together once a year in April to help with home repairs. Since then, we've grown into an organization that provides help all year round, fixing homes and improving neighborhoods for free. Our mission is to repair homes, revitalize communities, and rebuild lives in Sandoval County, including Rio Rancho, Corrales, The Town of Bernalillo, Algodones, and Placitas. For nearly twenty-five years, RTSC has been fixing homes for veterans, seniors, and low-income families. We're the only New Mexico affiliate of Rebuilding Together (RT), a national nonprofit dedicated to free home repairs and safety modification for low-income families. We have completed over 350 home repair projects, with nearly 70 completed in the past year alone. Our budget has grown from in 2020 to a projected this year. We focus on repairs that improve health and safety. This includes fixing roofs, servicing or replacing HVAC systems, replacing furnaces and water heaters, and fixing plumbing and electrical problems. We also make homes accessible for people with disabilities by installing ramps, modifying bathrooms, and widening doorways for wheelchair access. Many veterans, seniors, and low-income homeowners cannot afford these repairs because their money goes to other needs like food, medication, and utilities. This leaves them living in unsafe and unhealthy conditions. If not fixed, these problems can lead to serious health issues, injuries, or even homelessness. Our clients are your neighbors in Sandoval County. They are senior citizens living on a fixed income who can’t afford a new water heater or to fix a leaking roof. They are disabled veterans who need wheelchair ramps or bathroom modifications. They are families deciding between buying food or repairing a furnace in the winter.