My name is Gina Centauro, and I run a charity called Rescuing Families with my husband Vinny, and my brother, Michael.

We rebuild homes for families in need, to make them safe and handicapped accessible.

Our charity helps underprivileged families get back in their homes and live like normal human beings again.

That's the main goal of our charity.

Because everybody deserves to live in a home that's safe, comfortable and functional for their needs.

We don't want these people to feel forgotten.

We want them to know that there are people that want to help them have a better life.

That's how it's done, folks.

[THEME PLAYS] REPORTER: A Long Island charity's mission was grounded after somebody stole their power tools which were used to build homes for disabled people.

VINNY: I say this is groundbreaking The community coming out and really rescuing us when that's usually our job.

[DRILL SOUNDS] It's an amazing feeling that.

we only lost a few days out of this whole project, and that we're back on track again.

Everything that we undid on this porch was wrong.

There was there was no header on this porch.

What they tried to do was make a two by four header and laid it in the wrong direction.

Wasn't even attached to the rafters.

- Yeah.

We have restructured this porch.

We had done a two by eight, double header to take the full span of the 24 feet.

We've sifted everything up, I think every every rafter we've upgraded.

- Two by six.

- To two by six.

We're finally putting some beauty to this house.

This is actually the first day- - Well, were adding This is finishing work at this point, on the porch, which is finally nice to see.

We've been tearing down and ripping out for so long that it's nice to finally see something going up that's finishing work, which means that we're one step closer to bringing them home.

Yeah, so we're moving in the right direction.

For sure.

- Yeah.

This is an amazing product.

Very easy, like Vinny said, to install can be used in several different applications, but mainly it's used for exterior porches.

It's a soffit type of, - And the best thing about this Its maintenance free for her.

If she wants to hose it down, Thats as far as she's got to ever go with this porch.

- Yep.

This is a very, very DIY, easy installation.

The first thing you want to do is just make sure you start off square Your first board has to be square.

Otherwise you're going to go on a diagonal all the way down throughout your ceiling.

It's a tongue and groove, so they slip into each other.

And the best thing about this is youre just going to use a crown stapler.

One nail every six to twelve inches all the way across.

And then you just continue on through your next board.

It's a very simple process.

It doesn't take very long.

This little lip right here.

This is where you're going to send your staples through.

It's not very thick.

So you want to set your stapler up a little bit higher so you don't penetrate through the material.

So we'll get one side in here.

And then you have a little flex with the board.

You just flex it into your track and we're going to slide it forward.

Yep, and the idea before you stable it, you just want to make sure you have a nice tight joint there.

Raise it up.

And this is why we did all the blocking in the ceiling.

We managed to make this deck ground level with the patio door.

So she's going to be able to roll out from the sunroom here onto her deck.

Yeah.

And most importantly, have no obstacles anymore.

The other- the way it was before it was pitched wrong, like Gina said, there was actually water coming.

- Into the house.

- It was pitched so bad that there was water coming into the house, And one of the other things that we did on this deck was gave her accessibility to actually come off this deck and go around the house.

If she ever needs to exit, because right around.

She only had one means of egress, and that was the front door.

We all know her bedroom is way here in the back.

So if God forbid, there was a problem towards the front of the house, she was never able to come out of the house.

She would have been trapped on her original deck.

So by being able to give her a ramp, it gives her a second means of egress from the home in case of an emergency, and even just to be able to go down the side of her house, which she's never been able to do before, which I think is just a bonus.

Imagine not being able to use or see part of your house because you're not able to get to it.

So we've actually given her accessibility.

We're going to be working on the walkway on the side of the house.

That's our next project.

So one of the most important things you know, giving Claire accessibility was giving her a ramp, a ramp that is safe, that she can exit and enter the house.

And one of the important things, when you're building ramps that are accessible, you want to make sure whatever your elevation is, Right now we're at seven inches.

So right now, from the ground to the top of the decking I'm going to have seven inches.

So what that means to give a safe incline and decline, what I'm going to have to do is make sure if I have seven inches there, I have to make sure that this ramp descends seven feet.

That's one of the most important things in building ramps is getting your elevation and your incline and decline, to make sure they're right.

So this is not too steep for her, and it's safe most importantly.

We have over 1000 feet to install flooring, so we might as well get started with it.

- 1000 square feet, yeah.

- Yeah.

We've gotten all the surface vacuumed, which is great.

You need a clean surface to start.

Step number two.

We're going to do our underlayment.

This will be Claire's kitchen.

So what we did here is we modified the stock cabinets.

Now, these stock cabinets you can easily get from any store.

This cabinet right here is approximately 35 inches.

But what we did on the bottom is we used a guide with a saw to cut it down to size.

So approximately 33, 32 inches When we put the counter up, the counter will be an additional inch, well bring it to 33 inch, which will be the appropriate height for Claire.

This needs to be sanded big time - Because what happens Gina if the sanding is not good - The paint job is not good.

This is probably not good either.

You see this little V here?

- Yeah.

- Because it's not feathered.

You'll wind up with a ridge.

All right boss, what needs to be sanded?

- Okay, so, you got to get this.

You can feel it.

- Yeah.

- No es bueno.

Okay, good.

Obviously prior to paint, you are doing your spackle.

When you spackle, you have to sand.

You have to make sure that it is paint ready, It has to be completely finished.

By finished, that means it has to be perfectly smooth with no edges whatsoever.

You can't feel where the spackle blade stopped.

Otherwise, when you paint, you're going to get a big seam, a thick line, and it's not going to be a good paint job.

- We got everything sanded the way I think Gina likes it.

Good, It's good.

I think it's going to pass her expectations, I hope.

I hope.

So we're finally, finally, finally going to get paint on these walls today.

And this place is It's finally going to start to look like a home again.

And it's going to be a rough seven days.

It's going to be a nonstop almost, 18 to 20 hour days just to get them here on time.

It's going pretty good.

We finally just finished up the tile.

That took us a few days.

We finally wrapped that up yesterday.

And today we're grouting.

And, happy is when they come home and enjoy their new home For us, This is going to be a long week.

Is your new technique working good?

- It works excellent actually, thanks for asking.

Is this an easy project?

Anybody can do this.

- Anybody can do this.

- Yes.

- Yes, I totally agree.

Peel stick.

It's on.

It's a one man show, this project.

Yeah, well, all my stuff that I've been doing has been a one man show.

Everybody's got their partner, they're teamed up, and Ginas left to just paint every room in the house.

I feel very neglected.

Well, you have to train somebody to be your assistant.

- I feel very neglected.

I work better solo.

Not gonna lie about that.

At this point in the game, we're kind of used to this.

This is the way it's going to go.

We're just not going to get any sleep.

And then on reveal day, we're exhausted and emotional sobbing fools.

Took so much time man, let me tell you.

- You guys put a lot of effort in, congratulations.

- Thank you.

- I know theyll be satisfied.

- Im Vinny.

- Hi Kevin, how are you?

- How's everything?

- Nice to finally meet you.

- Great job.

- Thank you.

Good to see you man, hows everything?

Thank you man.

Finally done man.

- Thank you!

Hey, how are you?

Good to see you again man.

Hows everything?

Good?

- How are you?

How are you?

Great.

Very good man, hows everything?

How are you guys?

Good to see you.

- Looks amazing.

- How are you?

Im Vinny, nice to meet you.

So I think I- [Gina laughs] She was sobbing from down the block.

I could hear her from down the block.

And I think she got more hysterical as she got closer.

- She did.

She couldn't even pull into the driveway.

Six months in the hotel, and now she's finally back home again.

So that's a long time to be away from your house.

Yeah.

It's true.

The original plan was only going to be away for about two months.

It's not an easy one to grasp.

Six months away from your home.

So when she came home today, she was.

She was just, she was thrilled.

like, I've never seen someone thrilled to come home again.

- Megan too.

- Yeah.

CLAIRE: God guys, Oh my goodness oh my god guys.

This is so beautiful.

- Wait until you see the inside.

- Oh my god.

- Youre gonna love it.

- If you like this, wait.

Ill open it on this side.

Jake.

Jakey.

Oh my god.

I know.

- Just a little bit.

Oh my god.

It's incredible how we've grown and how So many people are starting to get involved and have gotten involved Yeah.

It's truly amazing.

You know, honestly, without the volunteer force we have, we won't be able to complete these projects.

- Or the donors.

And the donors are the companies that supply the product.

Really, you know, everybody just comes together in the community and, and ensures that families like this one have a safe, accessible home again.

And that's what's important.

- And a beautiful home to boot.

That's for sure.

We're already planning on the next rescue.

So we have a nice, another beautiful family that needs help in our area.

And, we're going to, you know, start our site visits in the process and get it rolling and, Coming a month from now, we're back on to that one.

They're super excited already.

I've spoken to them.

- Oh, yeah?

- Oh yeah.

Super excited.

- Yep.

- Super excited.

So here is everybody.

- Oh my goodness!

- that worked on the house.

Hi everybody.

Oh my God.

Oh God.

Oh my goodness.

Guys- oh my goodness!

[LAUGHTER] Oh my god.

This is not my house!

Oh my gosh guys.

I am so overwhelmed.

Thank you guys so much I know- Like, I cant tell you- I don't have words.

Thank you guys so much Thank you guys so much.

Oh my goodness.

How beautiful!

Oh my gosh!

Oh my gosh.

- You have a little fireplace.

- Oh I do?

Oh my goodness.

Oh I love the floor.

Gina, I love the floor!

[unintelligible] I know, oh my goodness!

- A little bit different here.

- Oh look at the tea kettle, how pretty!

Oh guys.

- We had to make your washing machine more accessible right?

- Oh yes, yes!

Oh my goodness.

- All on the same level, no more issues.

- Yes, yes!

- No more struggles.

- Washer, dryer!

- Yep!

Everything's right here.

Guys this is beautiful.

- Remember the struggle back here you had?

Yep.

- New stove.

Oh my- It's so beautiful.

Look how perfect.

- Wait.

- Oh my gosh.

Do you want to see something really neat?

I didn't even think something like this was possible This was Vinny.

- Give it a try.

Oh my gosh.

So you're just picking it up and putting it back It's a little bit heavy right now because your dishes are in it.

It is beautiful.

And those are all your new dishes - New door.

So what's neat about these handles- - The handle.

So the handle, you can push it.

and open the door, you can pull it and open the door.

You can use it regularly.

- Wow.

So if you're carrying something you need to bump it.

You're going to open your door.

So it makes it easier for you.

- So much easier, thank you.

When I got into the living room, I could not believe the change.

I saw the kitchen and when Vinny showed me all of the accessibility that the kitchen has, it was just unbelievable.

I like it.

- Free touch ups!

Beautiful!

Oh my god, Vinny, theres no closet - No more closet, yeah.

No more closet.

- But there's a linen closet there.

- Theres a linen closet?!

Oh my gosh, guys Megan, you have to see this!

Oh my God.

Oh, look at the shower.

Oh my God.

- What do you think?

- Oh Vinny.

Oh Vinny, this sink is beautiful Oh my gosh.

Oh look at the lights Meggy, Oh my God.

- Look at the shower!

I was looking at the plumbing and I'm like this is.

so- I was looking at the outside.

It's so beautiful.

That plumbing is exactly what I wanted Okay, so let me try it out guys.

- Wow!

- Guys, Im in my shower!

Oh my God, look at this.

- You have two shower heads.

there, you can put all your stuff, - Oh my gosh.

- We have the grab bars for you and Jake.

- Oh my gosh.

If you want to lower it, you can hit this button here Actually this button here will transfer your water to the sprayer.

- Really?

- And this will lower up- - Even for when Im going on the toilet, I can hold here.

So you can put your stuff.

Arent they pretty?

It's so rustic too.

I love the look of it.

The three of us have to use it.

- Yeah.

You know, when we're all rushing and you know he has the brush.

she needs to take a shower, We can all use it.

- Yep.

Oh, my gosh, it's beautiful.

You have a barrier free home now.

Your home is completely accessible.

You don't have any obstacles to go over.

You can just go freely throughout your entire home with no saddles, no nothing.

Everything is so beautiful.

Even the little paneling is so pretty.

Just unbelievable.

And then forget about the bathroom.

Oh my goodness, the shower to wheel right in, the fact that I don't have to worry about climbing, falling, the beauty of it too, you know, not just the accessibility, but how beautiful and how well thought, thought out everything was.

I mean, the Jacob's room, Megan's room.

- Yes, you can.

This was my special project for you.

Oh my goodness, Meggy!

Oh my gosh, meggy, look at your room!

So Megan because your room was so, so small, right?

We wanted to get rid of all these dressers that really weren't serving a purpose for you.

And we, we built you a new closet.

As you can see, your old closet is still there.

But we outfitted it better.

- I have a closet!

- Yes.

- Oh my god, Gina.

- Now you have to keep it organized.

- I will!

- Oh my god.

- Now, Claire, I don't know if you noticed how easy it was to get through this door, You didn't bang into a door, did you?

- No, no Gina.

These are special hinges that open the door wider.

Oh my God, Oh my god, I'm getting goose- Oh my goodness.

This isnt my house, Gina.

- Yes, this is your house.

- This is your home.

Oh my God, guys.

- We built you a closet here.

Oh my God.

These were your old cabinets.

Your kitchen cabinets.

So Barbara, Theresa and I Mostly them, not really me They did that.

This was your old dresser And we made a beautiful little craft area.

- How beautiful!

This is amazing.

Oh my God.

I mean, this is so cool.

Look at this.

- Yes, we put all we have.

And everything is in the drawers now for him.

Sue and the girls helped organize Jane and Lydia for him.

Let's see Jakeys room.

Let's see Jakey's room.

Oh my goodness.

Jakey!

Jakey, whose name is this?

Jake.

Oh my goodness, Jakey, look at your room.

Beautiful.

Oh my word, its beautiful.

Jakey, do you love your room?

Oh, wow.

Its beautiful guys.

Beautiful.

We put a window there for two reasons.

One, to let more light in.

- Okay.

Because you get it from it.

And two, if you're in the front of the house, you can see what's going on in here.

- Beautiful.

We also redid his closet.

Everybody was just so excited when the room started to come together.

Oh.

Megan's room.

Okay, let's- So a few of the girls were in your room.

All right, let's fold this.

Let's put this here.

I think she'd like this there.

I think she'd like that there.

Your room we all loved.

We took part in it.

In Jakes room, everybody One of the girls made the bed.

We got everything, you know?

Just so.

And I love- It's beautiful.

Gina, the floors are amazing.

It's so rustic.

It's like.

It's really.

- I know what you like.

Gina, I cant believe you understood our tastes this well For Jake, I am happy because what Gina and Vinny did for him is to make his room more comfortable for him.

For Megan, however, it's two things.

It's her having the joy of seeing what her mom has now, the accessibility and the safety that her mom has now in this home.

And then for her actually to have a much more comfortable, welcoming room for a young woman.

Oh Guys this is- oh my gosh.

Oh my goodness Gina, look at the wall.

It wasn't good.

It wasn't good.

It wasn't your space.

It didn't speak to you.

- No.

So we tried to do something that would help you out.

It's new, so it's a little stiff, but you have access.

- Oh my god.

- To your clothes.

So I can pull it down.

- And you can pick it up.

So I know that she's overjoyed because of how it makes me feel.

She's happy for me.

To know that youre bringing your children, peace of mind because they're happy for what you have.

You guys were great.

Thank you.

Okay.

We had everybody stand there so she couldnt see it.

Oh my gosh.

Oh, my gosh, you see that corner?

I always wanted to make it exactly like this.

Like a little garden area.

And I kept saying, oh, boy, it would be so wonderful if I could have full access over there.

We pulled all sorts of stuff from your shed.

We said, let's make it pretty.

Alfredo made this gorgeous bench.

This is custom.

Oh my god Oh my gosh You can go all the way Oh my gosh- Have you ever been able to go down?

No.

- No.

Theresa and Barbara planted a whole bunch of herbs.

- You guys left nothing undone.

Oh my gosh.

So they're herbs, Megan look!

- Yes that's a that's an herb garden.

Basil, oh my gosh.

The new fence.

- The fence!

So, Lou and - That fence gave me such agony looking at it.

- So Lou, Lou and Ted installed that fence, Erica and Joe stained - Oh, you waterproofed it!

Oh my God, that's beautiful.

- And it goes all the way to the other side.

- It goes all the way- Oh my Gosh.

Such a labor of love.

I mean, you guys worked and you guys thought about everything for Jakey, for me.

So amazing.

Every time I'm in my house, I know why it happened.

It's so beautiful.

And just like we told Karen Mauro and Keith, youre stuck with us.

and John and Bruce Tribble.

- Im stuck with you guys.

You're just stuck with us.

- There are no words for Vinny and Gina.

They are not just a couple.

that is really just a priceless asset to their community.

But the kindness and the love that they show, not just in what what they do, but the way they treat people, the love that they showed me and my kids When they started this project, based on some of the stuff that they encountered in this home, Vinny said It's not when something, it's not if something bad could have happened, it was when they were right on time.

And I'm so grateful to God that they came when they came, because I don't know what would have happened.

I don't know what we would have encountered.

I can't wait to do this.

I'm doing it.

Oh, wow.

Okay I will- Okay, Im doing it guys!

- Go, Claire, Go!

[CHEERING] - Look, shes going man, Oh my god, shes motoring.

She motored right down.

- Oh my Gosh.

- And she came back.

- This is amazing.

And the ramp I can easily get up.

Wow this is amazing.

Oh, ill do it one more time.

We're doing it!

Woo!

For the first time since I'm living here, I can wheel all the way along the side of my house.

Something I never was able to do.

I didn't think I would be able to.

The quality of life that I have gotten from Rescuing Families that came into our lives, it's priceless.

They have just elevated the quality of my life to a level where without them, I couldn't have.

I couldn't have, even if I tried.

We renovate the homes of families, that have disabled family members.

We don't just renovate, we change their lives because we make sure that their entire home is accessible to them, which a lot of them don't have that, they don't have the means to do that.

And we we're just here to ease their burden in their home.