‘I want to…be able to help people who really need it’
The Rappahannock Benevolent Fund recently welcomed a new team member, hoping to expand the reach of its Safe and Healthy Homes program.
Rafael Vittitow, a local contractor and Washington resident, joined the Benevolent Fund in June as its Safe and Healthy Homes program manager, thanks to local grant funding and continued support from the PATH Foundation, according to Executive Director Berni Olson.
The program’s main purpose is to provide critical home repair to low income individuals and families in the community. Before Olson took over as executive director, Vittitow’s mother, Montse Vittitow, led the organization. Because of the Vittitow family connection to carpentry and contracting, more home repairs were done during that time. The program’s reach plateaued during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Olson hopes Vittitow will help to revamp it.
“When I came on … I kept thinking, ‘we need someone in this position to do this work,’” Olson said. “I’ve always felt a little bit behind the whole [home repair] thing in terms of not being able to do a 100% good job on it. And with hiring Rafael, we will really be able to expand and help more folks here in the community.”
Vittitow has a background in carpentry and construction spanning two decades. He said he has done work for the Benevolent Fund in the past through his business, Vittitow Construction, and is excited to continue to give back to the community in this larger role with the organization.
“I want to take the work I do, and be able to help people who really need it,” Vittitow said.
Olson and Vittitow said anyone in need of critical home repair or who knows someone in need can contact the Benevolent Fund at 540-671-0421.
Ireland Hayes is a reporter for Foothills Forum, a nonprofit organization that supports local news in Rappahannock County.
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