YWCA Evanston/North Shore partners with Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse on deconstruction

Evanston, IL, November 11, 2019 — YWCA Evanston/North Shore, in partnership with the Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse, has begun deconstruction of the property it owns at 1730 Ridge Avenue. This is the first step in YWCA’s long-range expansion plan, which will break ground in 2020.

“Our campus expansion plan will greatly enhance our ability to provide comprehensive domestic violence services to women and their families,” said Karen Singer, CEO and president of YWCA Evanston/North Shore. “In addition to adding space, we will be improving existing facilities to augment our work in racial justice and gender equity, economic empowerment for women, and aquatics.”

YWCA is partnering with the Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse because the local non-profit organization employs high quality, sustainable deconstruction practices.

Deconstruction is the careful dismantlement of building components for reuse, repurposing and recycling. In contrast to demolition, deconstruction reduces waste and conserves energy and natural resources. Instead of being hauled to a landfill, sustainable items retrieved from deconstruction – such as flooring, wood trim, windows, doors, and plumbing equipment – are sold at the Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse at a low cost to the community.

The Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse also offers a holistic workforce training program, supporting men and women who are overcoming barriers to employment, training them to become skilled members of the building trades.

“We are thrilled to be working with the YWCA, said Aina Gutierrez, executive director of the Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse. “This project demonstrates their commitment to environmental sustainability and workforce development. We are excited to be a small part of their future growth, which will benefit all of us in the community.”

The Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse, located at 2101 Dempster Street, is a non-profit organization that promotes the reduction of waste in landfills through sustainable deconstruction and renovation building practices. For more information, including hours, visit www.evanstonrebuildingwarehouse.org.

YWCA Evanston/North Shore works to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen local communities. It serves more than 10,000 people annually in northern Cook County. Learn more www.ywca-ens.org.

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Below: Workers from the Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse have already begun the deconstruction process as part of YWCA Evanston/North Shore’s long-term expansion plan.