Building Community
Together we can. Through teamwork, all things are possible.

In this regular feature, New Homes & Ideas seeks to recognize home building professionals making a difference in the lives of their neighbors. If you know of an organization that hosts a project where proceeds will go to charity and whose contribution might serve as a model for others, please email Michelle Anysz at michelle@newhomesandideas.com.

Youth Shelter Gets Much Needed Facelift
Remodelers Council of the Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County volunteered with Haven House Services to improve services for homeless and runaway youth in the Triangle

In early June the Wrenn House Crisis Intervention Program, the only homeless/runaway/crisis intervention program and shelter for youth in the Triangle, received an extreme makeover courtesy of The Remodelers Coucil of the Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County (HBARWC). Members provided labor and donated items for much-needed repairs including removal of lead paint, replacement of 27 windows, plumbing replacement, damaged wood repair throughout the house, and interior and exterior painting.

Between 2008-2009 the Wrenn House Crisis Intervention Program provided emergency shelter for 172 children and all Haven House Services programs directly impacted almost 3,000 youth. Since the 1915 house was acquired by Haven House Services in 1995, few major renovations have been done. After the initial work in 1995, the needs of the children have taken precedence over funding of major repairs.

“We are so appreciative of this partnership with the HBARWC and the donations and volunteer efforts of the Remodelers Council. This support allows us to keep serving the most vulnerable youth in our area,” said Michelle Zechman, Executive Director of Haven House Services.

Glenn White, Chair of the HBARWC Remodelers Council led the organization of this project, bringing together all of the members and companies donating labor and materials for this significant renovation.

“One of our priorities at the Remodelers Council is to serve the community, and this project allowed us to do something for our kids,” said White. “This project started out simply as a ‘project’ to the Council. After the first visit to the facility and realizing that we could make such a huge impact and difference in these kids’ lives just by doing what we do everyday, the Council came together as a whole to make this once-small project so much more. The original scope of work was a pretty short list, but now we have almost done a whole house remodel because we know it’s so important to make this house a home to these kids.”

The need for support from the community has never been greater. The economic downturn has taken a particularly hard toll on budgets while also increasing the challenges faced by our youth including family homelessness and domestic violence and abuse. Wake County Human Services reports that over the course of a year, approximately 3,300 persons are homeless in Wake County. On any given day, more than 200 children under the age of 18 are homeless, which represents up to 29% of the total homeless population in Wake County.

This much-needed renovation will make the home safer and will improve energy efficiency and reduce operating costs. “We work hard to provide the best services possible to this at-risk population and now, thanks to the Remodelers Council, our facility will be improved to meet the high standards that we hold for our services,” said Danielle Butler, Program Director of Wrenn House Crisis Intervention Program.

For more information on the Wrenn House Crisis Intervention Program, visit www.havenhousenc.org. For more
information on the HBARWC Remodelers Council visit www.wakeremodelers.com.

Local Women Participate in Nationwide Mother’s Day Habitat Initiative
Local Women Help Eliminate Poverty Housing during National Women Build Week, May 1–9

In the days leading up to Mother’s Day, more than 200 construction crews of women volunteers across the country were demolishing walls, pounding nails and hanging drywall at Habitat for Humanity construction sites in all 50 states in recognition of National Women Build Week, May 1–9.

Professional Women in Building (PWB) Council members who answered the challenge from Habitat for Humanity and Lowe’s were Jennifer Lewis, Liegh Elrod, Carol Cheek, NHI Publisher Jodi Sauerbier, Roxanne Little & future homeowner, Kim Rives. PWB participant Mershon Moore (not pictured) and her mother celebrated mother’s day on May 9th by volunteering at the Habitat project, which was located in Durham.

On Saturday, May 8, local women volunteers, including members of the Professional Women in Building Council of the Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties, gathered at a home in Durham, NC. The ladies picked up tools and utilized their deconstruction skills in preparation for Habitat of Durham’s Women Build home, which will begin in September.

Carol Cheek, President of the Professional Women in Building Council shared, “The PWB was proud to be a part of Habitat's National Women Build Week. Working side-by-side with awesome women, and a few good men, was a great way to give back to our community! We look forward to partnering with Habitat and Kim Rives for the fall Women Build.”

For more information on Habitat for Humanity of Durham visit www.durhamhabitat.org. For more information on the Professional Women in Building Council visit www.hbadoc.com.

Local HBA Awards 10 Student Scholarships

The Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County (HBA) awarded $10,000 in scholarships to Wake Tech Community College students as part of its mission to provide education and develop positive growth for the home building industry.

“Members of the HBA believe in the college dream, especially during a difficult economy,” said Warren Smith, president of L and L Homes, Inc. and the 2010 HBA president. “To help make this dream a reality, in 2007 the HBA made a 10 year, $250,000 scholarship commitment to Wake Tech Community College.”

Dr. Stephen Scott, president of Wake Technical Community College was present to congratulate the winners as Smith presented the scholarships to the 10 students.

The scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic achievement. The 2010 student recipients are Daniel Dickens, Steven Dills, Daniel Donithan, Carter Garris, Adam Harward, Mark Miller, Duane Olivier, Robert Sliby, James Smith, and Thomas Yearwood.

The association offers college scholarships to students enrolled in construction and building trades in North Carolina who will attend Wake Tech Community College. These trades can include: electrical/electronics technology, air conditioning, heating and refrigeration, plumbing technology, architectural engineering technology, civil engineering technology and surveying.

For more information visit www.hbawake.com.

Habitat Wake ReStore and DeConstruction program Win Environmental Award

The Habitat Wake ReStore and DeConstruction program were honored at the annual City of Raleigh Environmental Awards for excellence in Urban Stewardship.

Habitat Wake Restore Manager, Tony Rizzo and DeConstruction Manager, Joel Lubell accepted the award for community building and conservation.

Habitat Wake’s DeConstruction program dismantles homes slated for demolition or remodeling. The materials gleaned from this process are then sold at discounted prices, along with other donated materials, at the Habitat Wake ReStore. Each year, the ReStore diverts more than 2,100 tons of building materials away from landfills for reuse. ReStore merchandise includes new and used cabinetry, flooring, lighting, lumber, plumbing fixtures and hardwood furniture.

All proceeds from the ReStore and DeConstruction program support Habitat for Humanity of Wake County and the building of affordable and sustainable homes for families.

The Habitat for Humanity of Wake County ReStore is located
at 2420 Raleigh Blvd. in Raleigh, and is open to the public Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For more information on the ReStore and DeConstruction program visit www.HabitatWake.org.