The success of Rebuilding Together Saratoga County isn’t because of her, said it’s founder and Executive Director, Michelle Larkin, it’s because of an attitude.

“I’ve been lucky to associate with people who have a ‘Can Do!’ attitude and feel housing is relevant – now more than ever,” she said.

After traveling with a church youth group to fix homes, in 2003 Michelle organized the nonprofit Rebuilding Together Saratoga County, a local affiliate of the nation’s largest home-rehabilitation organization.

“In the beginning, it was harder to raise money and get attention because we were unknown and didn’t have a track record. It became easier once we were affiliated with our national organization, Rebuilding Together,” said Michelle.

Unimaginable Growth

Rebuilding Together Saratoga County is an organization of neighbors helping neighbors (those with low-incomes, the elderly, disabled, active and veteran military, and others) to stay warm, safe, and dry.

At their first meeting in 2003, 35 people agreed to help contribute to the growth, prosperity, and quality of life in Saratoga County. Major sponsors including Allerdice Ace Hardware, Curtis Lumber, Roohan Realty, and Adirondack Trust were immediately on board.

In 2004, Rebuilding Together Saratoga County completed six projects. By their 20th anniversary in 2023, they had repaired 1,893 homes, improved 122 nonprofit centers and community spaces, and replaced 63 substandard manufactured homes with the help of more than 11,200 volunteers.

“We just went for it and figured out how to do it after. Just because we didn’t know how to do something, that didn’t stop us from doing it. I never envisioned, after receiving that first $100 check, that we would be where we are today, operating with a budget in the millions,” said Michelle.

Because Every Number
Represents a Person in Need

Originally from Liverpool, NY, Michelle, and her husband, Dan, moved to the Saratoga area in 1980. She worked in Arts Education within the Schuylerville Central School District and operated a yarn store on Caroline St. for four years. Michelle didn’t receive a salary for her work with Rebuilding Together Saratoga County (RTSC) until 2007.

Although a lot has changed through the years, her focus has always been on the people she is trying to help.

Michelle was selected as a 2011 Saratoga County Woman of Influence by Saratoga TODAY, and in 2017 launched Ballston Spa’s Rebuilding Together store (renamed the ReShop for Good in 2021).

Since 2004, Rebuilding Together Saratoga County has received a total of $674,333 from the Saratoga Builders Association’s Saratoga Showcase of Homes. In 2024, the $46,500 they received from the annual fundraising event helped complete small home repair projects for 17 families.

“The Saratoga Builder’s Association does such a beautiful job with the Showcase of Homes and I have a great appreciation for what they do for the community,” said Michelle.

Because the Need is so Great

Michelle is well-known for getting the funding that Rebuilding Together Saratoga County receives out into the community quickly, and said that she has heard people say, “If you gave her money yesterday, Michelle is going to find the people in need and spend it.”

Today, after an initial emergency visit to assess the situation and provide homeowners with smoke detectors, three-to-four hundred people remain on the RTSC waiting list (so it could take years for them receive the home repairs they need to maintain their health, safety, and independence).

“Obviously, part of the struggle is seeing people in crisis. It’s hard on our staff (who do a great job) when we can’t get to people because of the wait list,” she said.

There for You

When Michelle is able to take a break from her life-changing and sometimes even life-saving work, she enjoys spending time with her two children and their families and reading romance and mystery novels. During the past two years, Michelle and Dan (a NYS Police Captain who retired in 2019 after 34 years on the job) have played pickleball together almost daily.

Michelle turned 65 years old this year, and said she keeps asking herself when she will retire, too. From managing grants, to influencing state legislation, to talking with homeowners, Michelle is still involved in all areas of Rebuilding Together Saratoga County (which now also includes Warren and Washington County). Before she passes on the reigns, she said, she would like to help develop more affordable housing in the area – and clean out her office.

In the meantime, Michelle will keep smiling, grateful for the relationships that have made Rebuilding Together Saratoga County successful and for the people who help each other - in good times and in bad.

“I never fail to tear-up when I hear Dionne Warwick’s “That’s What Friends are For”, and the Louis Armstrong song, “What a Wonderful World”, they kind-of form my worldview.”