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A Community Painting and Renovation Project in Berkeley: Part 2

 A Community Painting and Renovation Project in Berkeley: Part 2

Some projects stay with you long after the last ladder is packed up. Donating our services for this Project Color Painting for Charity Giveaway in Berkeley was definitely one of them.

The project began when Rebuilding Together East Bay Network (RTEBN) stepped in to help a senior homeowner and her veteran husband whose home had been left stripped to the studs after a contractor disappeared, taking their savings with him. What followed was a multi-year effort led by RTEBN and supported by an incredible group of partners, all committed to seeing the home fully restored.

Phase 1: Interior Progress

Our involvement started with interior painting, helping move the home from a raw, unfinished state toward a livable space again. This phase was about restoring momentum and contributing to the larger rebuild already underway.

Take a look here for the article outlining more specific details about the Phase 1 work.

Phase 2: Finishing the Exterior

The final phase brought its own challenges. Our team completed the exterior repaint following extensive preparation, all within a tight five-day window. At the same time, carpenters were replacing rotted wood and solar panels were being installed late in the schedule.

With multiple trades working simultaneously, careful coordination and planning were essential. Thanks to strong communication and flexibility across the board, the project crossed the finish line right on time.

 A Community Painting and Renovation Project in Berkeley: Part 2

Building Skills Along the Way with “Girls Garage”

This project also included a meaningful partnership with Girls Garage, a nonprofit that teaches building skills to girls and young women. Through their Big Skills Workforce Development Program, students were on-site gaining hands-on experience while contributing to a real community rebuild.

It was a powerful reminder that projects like this don’t just restore homes - they help create pathways for the next generation of builders and tradespeople. How awesome is that?

The Role of Rebuilding Together East Bay Network

Projects like this are possible because of organizations like RTEBN, who work year-round to preserve affordable housing, improve safety and accessibility, and bring together nonprofits, volunteers, and local businesses across the East Bay. Their commitment to staying with a project from crisis to completion is what turns difficult situations into lasting change. It’s always a pleasure to partner with them and donate our services!

A Community Celebration

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony (video above!), the Mayor of Oakland and those in attendance recognized the collective effort behind the project; a moment that reflected just how many people played a role in bringing the home back to life.

We’re also grateful to Sherwin-Williams for once again donating the paint products needed to support this Project Color initiative.

Looking Ahead

This project is a strong example of what Project Color is all about: showing up, working together, and seeing things through. We’re thankful for the opportunity to partner with Rebuilding Together East Bay Network once again, and we’re already looking forward to the next collaboration!

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Customer Reviews

“Very easy to work with, they did an outstanding job with our project of re-painting our painting our kitchen cabinets. Given the scope of the job and that our kitchen is roughly half of our upstairs living area they did a fantastic job of minimizing the mess. Workmanship was top notch, would definitely recommend.”

— Vince Scola

“High quality work from a pleasant and qualified staff. Thank you!”

— Paul Markovich

“Just wanted to let you know that the crew was great to have around the house for the past two weeks. All three of them were professional, courteous, and attentive to my thoughts/concerns and were extremely knowledgeable. They paid great attention to the detail and it shows.”

— Mark & Roberta Gross

“The completed 'Client Satisfaction Survey' we sent in only modestly reflects our total satisfaction with the work. As a retired small business owner, I compliment you on setting 'best practices' that are consistently followed. Everything described in your marketing materials was a reality! The crew is a super bowl team and our neighbors commented on how quiet they were. We are very happy to be a client of MB Jessee.”

— Richard
Orinda

“We just wanted to let you know how pleased we are with the work of MB Jessee Painting and your employees. Everything turned out beautiful. Our foreman was great! He was punctual, professional, neat and very accommodating ... and went the extra mile. We will definitely recommend you to our friends and family.”

— Michelle & Rivers Gee

“Everyone I dealt with was nice, helpful, and very professional. The price was reasonable! (I didn't feel like I was getting the "San Francisco price." The attention to detail and work quality was excellent. They did what they said they would do in the exact timeframe they said they would do. Highly recommend!”

— Tim Tyson

“The painters at MB Jesse are top notch! Cesar's team was super friendly and helpful. They were very polite and accommodating. Their expertise in everything painting related was evident in their attention to detail and efficiency painting tricky spaces. The apartment looks brand new!”

— Adam Swisher

“The entire MB Jessee team is courteous, efficient and professional. From scheduling and estimating to the crew managers and crew, they all did an excellent job on a small (but complicated) two room project in my house. I'm already thinking about getting them scheduled for the next project in the spring.”

— Cari Cheney

“I want to express my thanks for a job well done. The rooms look great and there is no problem with any marks on the all the trim, floor, carpet, etc. The paint job is lovely. I also want to express my thanks for the level of professionalism the foreman showed in running the job. He was very attentive to any changes I needed to make, was extremely careful in getting the faux paint color and effect correct. Thanks so much for a job well done.”

— Suzan D’Arcy

“I just wanted to send you an email to say that John did such a great job over here today. He is truly a hard worker. He has the perfect balance of friendliness, honesty, and professionalism. I trust him. He takes the time to do the job to the best of his ability and that is what sets him (and your company) apart from the competition. He didn't make me feel rushed. He really made me feel like our job was the most important thing in the world. Thanks again!”

— Jo
Oakland

“Thank you for the support you have given the Women's Cancer Resource Center over the past year!”

— Margo - Director Women's Cancer Resource Center

“MB Jessee painters are stellar! As a designer I've worked with numerous companies over the years, and MB Jessee is a top-notch firm. From the first phone call to the final clean up, every person is courteous, professional, and hard working. The owner, Matt, is a charitable leader who has instilled his team with integrity and honesty providing the customer with a first class experience at a fair price with a paint job that is guaranteed to last. I highly recommend MB Jessee. Thank you Matt and your STAR crew-Daniel, Rigoberto, Vicente, Edy, Pedro, and Mario, for a job well executed! Cynthia Brian, ASID, Starstyle® Productions, llc”

— Cynthia Brian
Morgan, CA