Our Revised Mission: A "GREEN" Charitable Organization

The original founders of the ReCONNstruction Center created this non profit organization in order to reduce the waste of natural resources through re-use of building materials. Selling the materials at very affordable prices allowed us to be a community resource and help owners and landlords maintain affordable housing stock. The ReCONNstruction Center operated for four and a half years supported by several grants and the proceeds from the materials sales. We were successful at reducing landfill waste, we met our mission, but we were not self supporting and doomed ultimately to fail.

Times are tough and we are determined to do more. We are taking it upon ourselves to be self sustaining and not be dependent upon foundation grants. We are modeling ourselves after other Re-Use type stores in the country which generate "profits" which are used to support other non profit organizations like Habitat for Humanity. We make it possible for more people to support non profit organizations by donating unwanted building materials. ReCONN, acting as a materials clearinghouse, converts donated and salvaged items into charitable dollars.

Effective November 2009, we intend to operate The ReCONNstruction more like a business, but with a generous heart. The Board of Directors have reduced the paid staff depending more on volunteers to make pick ups and manage the store. We have expanded our marketing efforts to increase the source of donated materials and promote the "Green" ethic. We want to make ReCONN as popular as Goodwill and the Salvation Army.

With your continued enthusiatic patronage ensuring our financial success, we are now able to support other non profit organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation and the New Britain Chapter of Rebuilding Together.

(revised March 2010)

ReCONN History

Selling quality pre-owned items is as old as common sense. Yankee frugality and global knowledge came together and spawned the concept of creating a used building materials store here in Connecticut. John Powers, a Connecticut native, had seen building materials being reused all over the U.S. and abroad. Wanting his own community to have the same opportunity, he connected with enthusiastic people who shared his practical vision.  Together, they founded The ReCONNstruction Center in 2003.

The name of the ReCONNstruction Center came to light after thinking about what our goals were and where we were going to be located. The "Re" stands for Reuse and Recycle; CONN is an abbreviation for the state of Connecticut, in which we are incorporated; and "reconstruct" means to construct again. Put it all together, and the term "ReCONNstruction" symbolizes the rebirth of a building that incorporates used materials.

The ReCONNstruction Center functions similarly to a Salvation Army thrift or Goodwill Store, except that instead of accepting donated clothing and household goods, the Center accepts donations of unwanted, but perfectly usable building materials and fixtures. These materials are inventoried, priced, and displayed at the store to encourage shoppers to use the store as a resource. The Federal Government subsidises environmental conservation, so donors are entitled to a charitable donation receipt that can be used to claim a tax deduction. The ReCONNstruction Center is open to the general public and is staffed by paid employees and volunteers.

Community Benefits
...to the environment:

Currently, building materials make up the majority of landfill waste. Reusable materials are routinely being discarded as construction and remodeling projects are undertaken. They are also being discarded when home, tenement, or business owners renovate or clean their properties. These materials either accumulate in the municipal solid waste stream or are disposed with construction and demolition waste in distant landfills. Transporting waste out-of-state contributes to fuel consumption and air pollution.  It also shifts the burden to someone else’s backyard. The ReCONNstruction Center helps our community take responsibility for its own waste.

The ReCONNstruction Center provides a convenient, local, and environmentally responsible opportunity for property owners and contractors to recycle their reusable construction materials at no cost while reducing their overall cost of waste disposal. The Center plans offers a pick-up service that would meet the needs of those unable to transport these items to the Center.

The ReCONNstruction Center creates and sustains local jobs. According to the Institute of Local Self-Reliance, reuse operations create 8.7 jobs for every 1000 tons of materials handled. This is 9 times more jobs than traditional recycling facilities and 38 times more jobs than landfills and incinerators.

In keeping with our mission, The ReCONNstruction Center offers perfectly good used building materials at affordable, below retail prices to the average wage earner. This benefits local middle to low income individuals, as well as other non-profit organizations.

See for yourself: Go to our home page and click on: "Come visit our store! icon" Meet our customers and see some stock.

...to the Neighborhhods:

The ReCONNstruction Ceter store is a community resource to many in the community who might otherwise be unable to improve or maintain their housing. New homeowners, renovators, landlords, and contractors take advantage of the ReCONNstruction Store's discounted building materials enabling many to maintain or improve the housing stock and the integrety of older or depressed neighborhoods.

...to selected non profit organizations:

When store sales permit, we financially support community non-profit organizations which provide services to our customer base further extending our impact upon the community. Recipients include Habitat for Humanity, and Neighborhood Housing Services.

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Want to watch the video of WFSB-3's Scott Haney in a bath tub interviewing Doug? Check it out here!

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Time out for a public service announcement......

Staff:

Doug Janssen, Store Manager, *Click here to see video of Doug*

Tina Johnson, Cashier, *Click here to see video of Tina*

Cathy Rogers, Retail Sales, *Click here to see video of Cathy*

Board of Directors (all are volunteers):

Charles Paonessa, President

Charles has been in the construction business since 1972 and owns Dura Construction Company, which specializes in site-improvement construction—everything from simple home improvement projects to sophisticated underground work. The company also sells pavers, bricks, mulch, sand, gravel and other hardscape supplies. He holds an associates degree in civil engineering from Hartford State Technical College and numerous professional licenses. On a personal note, a major portion of his own home is built from used building materials.

Valerie Allgrove, Secretary

Jerilyn Nagel, Treasurer

Hannah Hurwitz, Director

Paula Kanenberg, Director

Becky Koladis, Director

Chad Thompson, Director

Phyllis Ward, Director

Christopher Widmer, Director

Contact Us

We would love to hear from you!

The ReCONNstruction Center
Twin City Plaza
731 New Britain Avenue
Newington, CT 06111
(860) 597-3390
info@reconnstructioncenter.org