Rebuilding Together, a national nonprofit organization that helps individuals repair their homes and revitalize communities, is taking root in Hampton Roads with the help of Ferguson.

Newport News-based Ferguson, which is a distributor of construction products and services such as plumbing, lighting, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, partnered with Rebuilding Together to launch its Hampton Roads affiliate.

“Ferguson had a national partnership with Rebuilding Together for quite some time. We love their mission. … We formed a steering committee with people in the community, helped get the paperwork in line and had a search for an executive director. Natasha (Stewart) blew us away in the interview. She has hit the ground running ever since,” said Melissa Hazelwood, Ferguson’s director of social impact.

Stewart started as Rebuilding Together of Hampton Roads’ executive director in August of last year. The organization is working on securing partnerships and funding before opening applications for future projects, she said. They also have a close relationship with Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg.

“They’ve been willing and ready to jump in and partner where they can,” Stewart said.

While Habitat for Humanity helps individuals build and own homes, Rebuilding Together’s mission focuses on in-home repairs. The organization’s news release said the need in Hampton Roads stems from aging infrastructure, flooding and accessibility, particularly for veterans and older adults.

“We are filling a gap in the community,” Stewart said. “We hope to partner with organizations already doing the work on the outside (of a home).”

Ferguson partnered with Rebuilding Together nationally in 2021 and completed 31 projects, according to the news release, but Hazelwood said it was when the company helped get the Hampton Roads affiliate up and running that the partnership truly began.

“It’s an organization that’s doing very important work,” Hazelwood said. “There’s an opportunity for this organization to partner with other local community partners doing similar work. It really helps round out the ability to help people age in place, build generational wealth, and stay in their home and stay safe.”

Ferguson volunteer Jazmin Henry trims a bush as part of a Rebuilding Together of Hampton Roads project in Newport News on Nov. 14, 2025. (Rob Ostermaier/Consociate Media)

Rebuilding Together of Hampton Roads did two local projects in Newport News last fall in partnership with Ferguson, Stewart said. The organization replaced an HVAC unit for a family relying solely on space heaters to keep warm. They also helped a man returning home from a rehabilitation stay in a wheelchair by converting the tub to a shower and fixing planks on his back deck so he could safely use his outdoor space.

Volunteers from Ferguson’s robust program assisted with both projects, Hazelwood said. The Ferguson Cares branch matches volunteers with nonprofit organizations of their choice, and slots fill very quickly. There are a number of ways Ferguson volunteers engage and they are “very passionate about giving back,” she said.

“A core part of Ferguson Cares is to be more than a checkbook. … What we try to do at Ferguson is what we do every day as a business, and use skills, resources and relationships to help our community,” Hazelwood said. “We show up authentically as who we are and make communities where we live better.”

Rebuilding Together of Hampton Roads is recruiting volunteers in the community. The program offers instruction to volunteers, but also welcomes those with specialized building and other skills.

“The volunteers come ready and willing to work with a smile on their faces, no matter how early it is. They are such a pleasure to work with them. We’re very grateful for Ferguson and the partnership,” Stewart said.

The goal is to have quarterly projects in the organization’s first official year, Stewart said. They are working on a large community project to honor National Rebuilding Day on April 25.

“All funding that comes into the organization goes directly to programs so our neighbors don’t have to worry about funding those repairs,” Stewart said. “A lot of people haven’t had the opportunity to fit home maintenance into their budget, and it’s harder to take care of those repairs. Having us as a resource is a fantastic way to show support to our neighbors.”

Rebuilding Together of Hampton Roads board member Mark Redman saws a plank to repair a gentleman’s deck in Newport News during a project in partnership with Ferguson on Nov. 14, 2025. (Rob Ostermaier/Consociate Media)

The process for individuals to apply for help will start soon, and projects will be selected by the board anonymously. Applications will be available at city service locations and online when they launch. Stewart said while the organization focuses on individual homes, it also contributes to projects such as community center refurbishment. There is a 25-point checklist in evaluating applications, Stewart said.

“Having Ferguson as a partner shows other community partners we’re a serious organization and here to do the work in the community,” Stewart said. “We’re ready to work with other large partners to do the work as well. Our mission is repairing homes, revitalizing communities and rebuilding lives. We want to show our community we are ready to show up for them. We have the momentum to move forward in Hampton Roads.”

Want to help?

Rebuilding Together of Hampton Roads is curating partnerships, in addition to accepting donations and volunteers. Learn more at rebuildinghamptonroads.org.

https://www.pilotonline.com/2026/02/16/ferguson-rebuilding-together/