Today we’d like to introduce you to John McAuliff.
The Rebuilding Exchange is a non-profit social enterprise and our mission is to create a market for reclaimed building materials. We do this by diverting materials from landfills and making them accessible for reuse through our retail warehouse, by promoting sustainable deconstruction practices, by providing education and job training programs, and by creating innovative models for sustainable reuse.
Since our inception in 2009, Rebuilding Exchange has diverted 10,000 tons of building materials from the landfill, and simultaneously created over $4 million worth of quality reuse materials available to the public.
Through contractor forums, educational seminars with local and public experts, as well as speaking engagements around the region, Rebuilding Exchange helps lead the national effort to educate on deconstruction and reuse. Rebuilding Exchange also offers over 100 hands-on public workshops per year to educate and empower on the many different ways to reuse materials. Through our thriving volunteer program we leverage the people resources of our community to build broader support for deconstruction and reuse, and reach a diverse audience of stakeholders.
The deconstruction and building materials reuse sector offers employment opportunities for people with a range of skill sets and backgrounds, and we need a trained workforce who understands the value and opportunities associated with this growing industry. To date, Rebuilding Exchange has provided job training opportunities to 106 people with barriers to employment in the fields of deconstruction, materials management, warehousing, retail and carpentry.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
How does the saying go? If it were easy, then everyone would do it? We have certainly had our fair share of challenges as we have built and grown Rebuilding Exchange. Since 2009, we have changed locations multiple times, trained and managed over 100 job trainees, offered a variety of workshops to the public and started a custom furniture line. Each step along the way has been a learning experience and we continue to grow both personally and professionally each day!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Rebuilding Exchange – what should we know?
Rebuilding Exchange;s mission is to divert building materials from the landfill, and to create a market for those reclaimed materials. We do this by making these materials available for purchase in our retail warehouse, by promoting sustainability deconstruction practices and by providing eduction and job training programs. We are most proud of the fact that we have diverted over 20 million pounds of materials from the landfill and have successfully graduated over 100 individuals through our job training program. Our customers support our mission by purchasing the reclaimed materials for construction, rehab and DIY projects. They also take advantage of the wide variety of workshops we offer and our custom furniture line,
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Hard work, dedication, devotion and kindness! As a social enterprise, we pride ourselves on our involvement in the community and helping individuals better themselves and those around them.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1740 W Webster Ave
Chicago, IL 60614 - Website: http://rebuildingexchange.org/
- Phone: 773-252-2234
- Email: info@rebuildingexchange.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rxchicago/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebuildingexchange/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/rxchicago?lang=en
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rebuilding-exchange-chicago
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