ReFIT Portland

ReFIT Portland ReFIT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Oregon, providing no-cost home modifications for our physically & financially challenged neighbors in need.

ReFIT is a 100% volunteer operated, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon. Since 1997, our lovely team of directors, contractors, and volunteers have donated their time and resources to help local families with mobility issues regain their confidence and independence. Our holistic, no-cost home modification services include wheelchair ramps, accessible bathrooms, grab bars, wi

der doorways, and more. Whether you are looking to donate a one-time or recurring contribution, volunteer your time as an individual, group, or contractor, or attend our fun in-person and virtual charity events, your support will make homes safer and lives easier for the physically and financially challenged community. Get involved today.

We're incredibly grateful to the Wilsonville High School student grantmakers in the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Found...
08/17/2026

We're incredibly grateful to the Wilsonville High School student grantmakers in the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation's Schnitzer Cares Student Grantmaking Program for awarding ReFIT a $3,000 grant to support our mission of providing no-cost home modifications for neighbors with disabilities.

Earlier this spring, our Executive Director had the opportunity to share ReFIT's work with these thoughtful students as they learned about local nonprofits and took on the real responsibility of deciding where grant funding could make the greatest impact. We were honored that they chose ReFIT.

This grant represents more than funding—it reflects the compassion, leadership, and generosity of the next generation of changemakers.

Pictured are ReFIT Board President Russ Weitz and Treasurer Steve Harrop accepting the award on behalf of ReFIT. Thank you to the students of Wilsonville High School and the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation for investing in stronger, safer, and more accessible communities. 💙

Meet the People Behind ReFIT: Linda Nilsen 💚 Behind every accessible home is a community of people who believe everyone ...
08/04/2026

Meet the People Behind ReFIT: Linda Nilsen

💚 Behind every accessible home is a community of people who believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live safely, independently, and with dignity. Today, we're honored to introduce Linda Nilsen of Health Insurance Advocates (https://healthinsuranceadvocacy.com/), one of ReFIT's dedicated Community Builders & Hammer it Home Award Winners.

📣 Linda's support of ReFIT goes far beyond a donation. As a longtime nonprofit executive and healthcare advocate, she understands what it takes to build a strong organization that can serve people well. Through Health Insurance Advocates' generous monthly Community Builder support, she helps provide the stable foundation that allows ReFIT to confidently carry out our mission every day.

🤝 Linda also shares her expertise in countless other ways—guiding our Board through strategic planning, supporting our events, connecting people with resources, and offering to help ReFIT homeowners navigate the often-confusing Medicare and health insurance system when they need it most.

🔨 She's passionate about helping ReFIT continue to grow, expand our services, and bring back larger accessibility projects—like bathroom remodels—that can truly transform daily life for homeowners.

✨ When she's not supporting ReFIT, Linda describes herself as a healthcare advocate cleverly disguised as a health insurance agent. After more than 30 years in community health and nonprofit leadership, she continues helping people understand their coverage and access the care they deserve. Outside of work, you'll likely find her enjoying walks and wine tasting with friends.

🌱 Linda believes that supporting ReFIT—whether through volunteering, giving, or simply sharing our mission—is an investment in both your neighbors and your community.

💚 Thank you, Linda, for believing in ReFIT from every angle—for your generosity, your wisdom, your advocacy, and your unwavering commitment to helping people live safely and independently at home.

07/31/2026

💙 What a day. What a team. 💚

A heartfelt thank you to Michelle Maryatt and the incredible crew from Budget Blinds Central Portland for spending the day volunteering alongside ReFIT to help two homeowners remain safe, independent, and connected to the homes they love.

Michelle is a friend and champion of ReFIT, and her leadership continues to inspire a culture of service that extends far beyond the workplace. We're so grateful for the way she leads by example—and for the amazing team that showed up with her.

Together, we stained and painted two newly built wheelchair ramps with a durable non-slip finish, improved Stephen's doorway threshold, refreshed Pam's yard, and tackled a variety of projects that will make everyday life just a little easier.

🏡 Stephen, 80, has called his home, home for nearly over 50 years. As he prepares to use a mobility scooter, safe access means he can continue living independently.

🏡 Pam lives with MS and relies on a mobility scooter. A more accessible home means more freedom to care for her family and enjoy special moments with her children and grandchildren.

What stood out most wasn't just everything the Budget Blinds team accomplished—it was the heart they brought. Employees from different areas of the company worked side by side with smiles, encouragement, and genuine care for the homeowners they were serving.These projects may seem simple, but they create lasting change. Accessibility is about so much more than ramps and railings—it's about freedom, dignity, and neighbors showing up for neighbors.

Thank you, Michelle, and everyone at Budget Blinds of Portland, for your partnership, your generosity, and your unwavering commitment to making homes safer and lives easier. We are so grateful to have you as part of the ReFIT family. 💚 🔨 💙

☀️ You're Invited to ReFIT's Annual Picnic! 🧺💚Community is at the heart of everything we do, and we'd love to celebrate ...
07/27/2026

☀️ You're Invited to ReFIT's Annual Picnic! 🧺💚

Community is at the heart of everything we do, and we'd love to celebrate with you!

Whether you're a homeowner, volunteer, contractor, community partner, donor, friend, or simply curious about ReFIT, join us for an afternoon of great food, meaningful connections, and fun. Together, we'll celebrate the people who make accessibility and independence possible throughout our community.

📅 Wednesday, August 19
🕚 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Sellwood Park – Picnic Area I
🥪 Free sack lunch provided by NW Natural

Come meet the ReFIT community, learn more about our mission, connect with others who are passionate about accessibility, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the park. Everyone is welcome and we can't wait to see you there!

💚 Come one, come all!

"At 84, I've learned that aging isn't just about getting older—it's about figuring out how to keep doing the everyday th...
07/20/2026

"At 84, I've learned that aging isn't just about getting older—it's about figuring out how to keep doing the everyday things that let you stay independent." — Donald

For Donald, independence isn't about going everywhere; it's about being able to safely get to the places that matter most. Living alone at 84, something as simple as a secure railing on his front porch has given him the confidence to get in and out of his home safely, drive to his regular stops, and continue living life on his own terms.

When our team first met Donald, we didn't just look at his house, we took the time to understand how he lives. Together, we identified the changes that would have the greatest impact on his safety and independence.

This project was made possible through our incredible partnership with Portland YouthBuilders , whose students worked alongside ReFIT to build the accessible ramp, walkway, and porch improvements that now provide Donald with safer access to his home. Their craftsmanship, dedication, and heart for serving our community are helping make independence possible—one home at a time.

As Donald shared with us:
"Organizations like ReFIT can't solve every problem, but they can solve the ones that make the biggest difference—especially when it comes to safety. They take the time to understand your needs, and they treat you with respect."

Stories like Donald's remind us that accessibility isn't just about ramps and railings...it's about preserving dignity, confidence, and the ability to remain in the home you've built your life around.

Thank you, Donald, for trusting ReFIT with your home, and thank you to Portland YouthBuilders for helping make this project a reality. Together, we're building safer homes, stronger communities, and brighter futures.

💚 🔨 One project at a time. One life at a time.

🎨🏡 Ramp Rockstars! 🏡🎨 A huge thank you to the amazing ReFIT Board and Committee members who spent their Saturday morning...
07/14/2026

🎨🏡 Ramp Rockstars! 🏡🎨

A huge thank you to the amazing ReFIT Board and Committee members who spent their Saturday morning staining, priming, and painting not one, but TWO wheelchair ramps!

These ramps were beautifully built by our partners at Portland YouthBuilders this winter, and with a little sweat, a lot of laughter, and more than a few awkward painting positions, our volunteers helped put the finishing touches on projects that will protect these ramps for years to come.

For Patricia, who relies on a wheelchair and has significant vision and heart challenges, her new ramp means safe access to the outside world, doctor's appointments and family.

For Thomas, whose deteriorating ramp had become a serious safety hazard, it means the confidence to continue entering and leaving his home safely and keeping up on the other maintenance on his home.

This is one of the things that makes ReFIT special. Our Board and Committee members don't just attend meetings, they roll up their sleeves, grab a paintbrush, and help make accessibility a reality.

Thank you for giving your time, your energy, and your hearts. Your work will make a difference every single day for these homeowners.💚 Here's to preserving these ramps, protecting independence, and proving once again that many hands truly do make light work.

Meet the People Behind ReFIT: Chris Kreipe 🛠️Behind every ramp, grab bar, and accessible home modification is someone wh...
07/10/2026

Meet the People Behind ReFIT: Chris Kreipe 🛠️

Behind every ramp, grab bar, and accessible home modification is someone who believes everyone deserves to live safely and independently. Today, we're excited to introduce one of the people helping make that happen—Chris Kreipe.

Chris is the Owner of Square Deal Remodeling Co. and has been part of the ReFIT family for more than 20 years. What started as volunteering alongside his father on a ReFIT project grew into serving on our Projects Committee and Board of Directors, where he continues to help expand accessibility throughout our community.

When he's not building a more accessible future, you'll likely find him skiing, hiking, or enjoying the occasional futsal game.

In this series, Chris shares why accessibility matters, the projects that have impacted him most, and why he's excited about ReFIT's future. His story is a reminder that even a single project can change a life—and that together, we can build a community where everyone has the opportunity to remain safe and independent at home.

💚 Thank you, Chris, for your leadership, your generosity, and more than two decades of dedication to ReFIT and the neighbors we serve.

🇺🇸 Happy 250th Birthday, America! ❤️🤍💙Today, we celebrate 250 years of freedom, resilience, and the enduring spirit of o...
07/04/2026

🇺🇸 Happy 250th Birthday, America! ❤️🤍💙

Today, we celebrate 250 years of freedom, resilience, and the enduring spirit of our nation. As we honor this historic milestone, we're reminded that one of America's greatest strengths is neighbors coming together to help one another.

At ReFIT, we're proud to be part of that legacy by creating safer, more accessible homes that empower people to live independently with dignity.

From our ReFIT family to yours, we wish you a joyful, safe, and meaningful Independence Day as we celebrate America's 250th year.

06/24/2026

This is exactly why ReFIT exists. ❤️

LeeAnn, at only 17 years old, has already faced more challenges than most people do in a lifetime. After battling brain cancer and the lasting effects of treatment, something as simple as getting in and out of her own home had become a daily obstacle, and a safety risk to her and those who support her.

Thank you to Ziebart Construction for generously donating the time, talent, and craftsmanship to make this project possible, and to ReFIT's supporters whose generosity helps turn challenges into solutions every day.

Most of all, thank you, LeeAnn and her family, for trusting us with a small part of your journey.

This ramp is more than a way in and out of the house. It's the freedom to roll out the front door and into the world with greater safety, confidence, and independence. We are honored to have played a tiny role in helping reconnect LeeAnn to the activities and opportunities every young person deserves.

Wishing her many happy, healthy adventures ahead. 💙♿✨

At ReFIT, we believe the strongest communities are built through collaboration—and that’s exactly what makes Sonder Nort...
06/22/2026

At ReFIT, we believe the strongest communities are built through collaboration—and that’s exactly what makes Sonder Northwest such a valued partner.

Recently, the team at Sonder Northwest organized a volunteer event benefiting Blanchet House, bringing community members together to pack more than 200 sack lunches for neighbors in need. We were honored to be part of the effort and witness firsthand their commitment to supporting organizations across our community.

While Sonder Northwest generously supports ReFIT through both financial contributions and volunteer involvement, what truly stands out is their dedication to connecting nonprofits and creating opportunities for people to make a difference. They understand that community impact isn’t a competition—it’s a collaboration.

When organizations come together to support one another’s missions, everyone benefits. We're grateful for partners like Sonder Northwest who continue to strengthen and connect our community through action, generosity, and service.

Thank you, Sonder Northwest, for helping create a stronger, more compassionate Portland. ❤️ https://www.sondernw.com/

Address

PO Box 916
Lake Oswego, OR
97034

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+1 503-698-8382

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