Evan’s history with Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh runs deep! He originally began working with us as a volunteer back in 2012. A Western Pennsylvania native and University of Pittsburgh alum, Evan has been involved in residential construction and project management since 2007, even operating his own small renovation company before officially joining the RTP staff in the fall of 2022. He brings both profound technical expertise and a genuine passion for our community to every project he oversees. Read on to learn a bit more about Evan in his own words!

“Why is this work important to you, Evan?”

This work is deeply interwoven with creating quality and dignity of life for the Homeowners we serve.  That is important.  Performing good work from a place of respect for our Homeowners and their homes is a responsibility I’m grateful to be a part of.

“Would you please share a fun fact about yourself for our readers?”

Hm… Share something fun about me?  Easier said than done!  I like to fix things and understand how they work.  I like sympathetic restoration; the type of mending where the history and spirit of an object remains present and considered in the work. Currently I’m working on fixing up a ~120-year-old barrel butter churn! …and that is fun to me!

Warm up those vocal cords and clear your calendars!

We are thrilled to invite you to an unforgettable evening of music, community spirit, and impact. On Saturday, July 25th, we are taking over the Babylon Bar & Restaurant in Homestead for a high-energy Karaoke Night Fundraiser—and the entire community is invited!

Whether you are a seasoned performer ready to take center stage, a group looking for a fun night out, or someone who just loves to cheer on others from the crowd, this event has something for everyone. To make sure this night is as inclusive as possible for all our neighbors, the event is entirely free to attend. There are no tickets required—just bring yourself, your friends, and your enthusiasm!

Every dollar raised through our raffle activities during the evening will go directly toward funding critical, safe, and healthy home repairs for vulnerable homeowners in our local neighborhoods.

🎤 Event At-A-Glance

Date: Saturday, July 25th
Time: 8:00 PM – Midnight
Location: Babylon Bar & Restaurant | 879 Forest Ave, Homestead, PA 15120
Admission: FREE! No tickets needed.

An All-Star Lineup for a Great Cause

We are incredibly excited to announce that our soundtrack for the night will be curated by none other than Tammy Lee! A legendary, long-time Pittsburgh DJ, Tammy Lee knows exactly how to read a room, spin the best tracks, and keep the energy soaring all night long. With an extensive library of songs spanning every genre and era, she will be ready to back you up on whatever track you choose—from classic rock anthems and 90s pop favorites to modern hits and soul classics.

Sing Your Heart Out, Support Your Neighbors

While walk-in entry is completely free, we have plenty of exciting ways for you to get involved and support our mission throughout the night. Come prepared to participate in our event fundraisers:

• 50/50 Raffle: Take a chance to win big! One lucky winner will walk away with half of the cash collected, while the other half goes straight into our community repair fund.
• Gift Basket Raffles: We are assembling a fantastic lineup of themed gift baskets packed with local goods, experiences, and items generously donated by our community partners.

Every raffle ticket purchased helps us buy essential building materials, coordinate community revitalization projects, and provide vital home modifications—like accessibility ramps, plumbing fixes, and structural repairs—for low-income families, seniors, and veterans right here in our communities.

Let’s make it a night to remember. Bring your friends, family, and coworkers out to Homestead on July 25th. Together, we can sing, support, and rebuild!

Can’t Attend but Still Want to Help?

If you have prior commitments on July 25th but still want to champion safe and healthy homes, you can make a tax-deductible contribution directly through our online donation portal. If your company or corporate group is looking to make a hands-on impact, we also welcome corporate team sponsorships to help build out our upcoming seasonal repair projects.

For more information about the event, or to learn how you can support our mission, please visit our contact page or follow us on social media for live updates leading up to the big night. See you at Babylon Bar & Restaurant!

Are You Ready to Tee Off for a Purpose?

We are thrilled to announce that tickets are officially on sale for our annual event, TopGolf FORE Safe & Healthy Homes, Presented by Duquesne Light! This isn’t just a golf outing; it’s an evening dedicated to building a safer, stronger Pittsburgh, one swing at a time. On October 1st, join Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh (RTP) for a night of friendly competition, high-energy fun, and community impact. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or have never picked up a club in your life, TopGolf’s inclusive atmosphere ensures everyone has a blast while supporting a critical cause.

Event Information

Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET
Location: TopGolf Bridgeville
400 Presto-Sygan Road, Bridgeville, PA 15017

Why Your Participation Matters

At RTP, we believe that safe and stable housing is the foundation of a thriving community. Unfortunately, many low- to moderate-income homeowners in our region face daunting challenges. From urgent roof repairs to accessibility modifications and hazardous living conditions, these issues are often the result of decades of systemic inequities and disinvestment. This is where you come in. Every ticket sold and every point scored helps us provide zero-cost home repairs to the families who need them most. Your support helps elderly residents age in place safely, assists families in building generational wealth, and revitalizes the very fabric of our neighborhoods.

What to Expect

Your ticket is your all-access pass to an unforgettable evening:

• TopGolf Play: Three hours of play in reserved bays.
• Dinner & Drinks: A delicious spread of food and refreshing beverages.
• Prizes & More: Opportunities to win exciting items while networking with fellow community-minded leaders and neighbors

Thank You to our Generous Sponsors!

We are incredibly grateful to our event sponsors, who help to make this event both special and impactful!

Interested in Sponsoring this Event?

If you or your business would like to discuss sonsorship opportunities for this event, please reach out! We have many levels of support available to help you advertise your business. Details about sponsorships can be found in our new Sponsorship Packet, or simply contact us at lpeckyno@rtpittsburgh.org to learn more.

The heart of Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh beats through our dedicated team. This month, we are shining a spotlight on Jarmele. From coordinating on the ground to ensuring our projects run smoothly, Jarmele brings unmatched energy and commitment to our mission every single day.

Q: When you think about the impact we have on Pittsburgh families and neighborhoods, what makes you feel the most proud?

When I’m asked why this work is important, my response is simple: because everyone deserves to feel comfortable and safe in their homes.

I grew up inspired by my mother and grandmother, who would give their last to make sure others never went hungry and had a roof over their heads. Today, as part of the Utilities Team, I carry that legacy forward. I work to ensure homeowners and renters have heat, clean air quality, and homes sealed against the elements. The calls of gratitude I receive after the work is done—knowing someone is finally warm and safe—are what make it all worth it.

Q: What is something about you that people can’t find on the internet?

One thing people may not know about me is that I love to cook and bake! I really enjoy experimenting with different ingredients to create new recipes.

One of my favorites is a quick peach cobbler roll-up. I take crescent roll dough, layer it with fresh peach slices, and roll them up in a baking pan. I top them with a mixture of peach syrup, white and brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon. After about 20 minutes at 350°F, they are delicious—especially with a scoop of ice cream!

When Energize Pittsburgh launched, the goal was simple: help Pittsburgh homeowners lower their utility bills while making their homes safer, healthier, and more resilient. Over the past two years, this pilot program proved that we can tackle climate and housing challenges at the same time to create lasting change for local families.

A Powerful Partnership

Energize Pittsburgh was a collaboration between the City of Pittsburgh, Duquesne Light Company, ACTION-Housing, and Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh. Supported by local and national partners, we focused on neighbors facing the highest energy burdens (the percentage of income spent on utilities), especially those living in older homes that were never built to be efficient.

Rather than just fixing one thing, we took a “whole-home” approach. We paired energy upgrades like insulation and new appliances with critical home repairs. This ensured that investments would last, often fixing leaky roofs or outdated wiring before installing new, energy-saving technology.

By the end of 2025, we completed upgrades in 40 homes across 17 neighborhoods, helping families lower their bills, eliminate electrical hazards, and prepare their homes for future efficiency improvements for a cleaner energy future.

A Whole-Home Approach in Action

The true heart of the program is the homeowners we served. Dainna, a homeowner in East Hills, was navigating rising energy costs while welcoming a new baby and sending a daughter to college.

By combining Energize Pittsburgh with our broader repair programs, we completed nearly $70,000 in improvements at her home. This included a new roof, structural stabilization, and a 5.92 kW solar system. These changes didn’t just lower her bills; they made her home a stable, safe environment for her growing family.

Results Where They Matter Most

Most households we served live on limited incomes, with an average household income of $23,415. For these families, every dollar saved on utilities is a dollar that can go toward food, medicine, or education.

Click to read more about our 2025 Energize Pittsburgh impact.

Who We Served

• 33 female heads of household
• 13 veterans
• 8 multi-generational households
• 4 individuals living with disabilities

Program Upgrades

• 19 high-efficiency heat pump systems
• 17 electrical service and panel upgrades
• 31 window replacements to keep heat in and cold out
• 8 heat pump dryers and water heaters installed

On average, we invested $11,310 per home. By layering our funding, we were able to bring in three additional dollars for every program dollar spent, allowing for deeper repairs that improved both safety and efficiency.

Building Local Capacity

We also used this pilot to grow Pittsburgh’s green economy. We worked with seven contractors, including three Minority and Women-Owned Business (MWBE) partners. Several of these professionals completed specialized training in heat pump installation, building the local workforce we need for a more sustainable future.

Looking Ahead

The Energize Pittsburgh pilot showed that reducing energy burden requires more than installing new equipment. Many homes in Pittsburgh are over a century old, and meaningful energy improvements often depend on addressing deferred maintenance first.

By pairing energy upgrades with critical repairs, we helped 40 families stabilize their homes and their budgets. These investments will continue to pay off through lower bills and better comfort for years to come.

We are thrilled to announce that Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh has been selected as this year’s WQED and Giant Eagle Community Champion! This prestigious award recognizes our ongoing commitment to preserving affordable homeownership and revitalizing communities throughout Allegheny County.

WQED produced a video that beautifully captures the heart of our mission. As highlighted in the video, we provide free, critical home repairs for low-income seniors, veterans, and disabled homeowners. Our dedicated volunteers, both skilled and unskilled, are the driving force behind our work, bringing their energy and teamwork to every project. Each year, we are able to make significant repairs to approximately 80+ homes, ensuring our neighbors can continue to live in safety and comfort.

The video also shines a spotlight on our innovative Rehab for Resale
(R4R) program. Through this initiative, we acquire and completely renovate dilapidated properties, transforming them into healthy, modern living spaces. These homes are then sold to first-time homebuyers, providing them with a stable foundation for the future.

We are incredibly grateful to WQED and Giant Eagle for this honor and for helping us share our story. We invite you to watch the video to see the impact of our work firsthand and to learn more about the families we serve.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/9JjWAT9ODlM?si=QofZP8B9Y3VGF2Cc