Community Celebrates Restoration of Historical Home for Homeless
IRVINE, Calif. – August 4, 2008 – (RealEstateRama) — Catholic Worker Isaiah House, a turn of the century Victorian house that nightly provides refuge for the homeless most at risk on the street – families, senior adults and the disabled – was the site of a dedication ceremony hosted by HomeAid Orange County. Building industry leaders, contractors, architects, state and community leaders and Isaiah House guests gathered to honor the contributions of California Professional Association of Specialty Contractors, Orange County Inland Empire (CALPASC OCIE), Pacific Design Estates Construction, Inc., William Hezmalhalch Architects and more than 300 consultants, suppliers and cash donors for their dedication to renovating Isaiah House.
HomeAid Orange County, a non-profit organization with the mission to build dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives, served as the developer on this immense project. After completion, more than $800,000 in labor, materials and cash were donated resulting an additional 571 square feet added to the house which included an expanded kitchen, closed dry good storage, laundry facilities, four bathroom/showers (one handicapped assessable), inclement weather structure, garage, handicap accessible entrance, landscaping and interior/exterior painting. To ensure the integrity of the historical home was not lost, custom moldings were manufactured. Along with the refurbishing of pocket doors, windows and hardwood floors enabling Isaiah House guests to see and experience the original beauty of this turn of the century house while seeking refuge and aid to rebuild their lives.
Founded in 1933, Isaiah House is one of more than 185 Catholic Worker communities across the country committed to providing hospitality to the homeless, hungry and often forgotten individuals. At Isaiah House weekly volunteers serve over 3,500 hot meals to
homeless men, women and families in desperate need.
Catholic Worker Leia Smith who manages Isaiah House with her husband Dwight spoke at the dedication expressing the gratitude of over 100 Isaiah House guests that nightly seek refuge at Isaiah House. “Through the months as I’ve watched so many of you work on Isaiah House I was amazed at your attention to detail and that you cared so much. I must thank you for making our guests feel a part of our community and not how they often feel ignored and
excluded,” said Smith.
The commitment of the builders and specialty contractors didn’t stop with the dedication of the project. The Philanthropy Committee of the Building Industry Association of Orange County (BIA/OC) adopted Isaiah House as one of their annual projects, recently hosting a summer luau for Isaiah House guests. More than 90 families and individuals dined on a barbecue beef dinner generously donated by Bad to Bone BBQ in San Juan Capistrano. Terry
Hardgrave, Warmington Homes Vice President of Purchasing led the committee in organizing the party which included games and crafts for the children.
“Our committee focuses on involvement in charitable activities that support, improve and enhance our communities. Isaiah House is a wonderful fit and we consider it a privilege to join Dwight and Leia’s efforts to provide dignity to these special homeless families,” said Hardgrave.
About HomeAid Orange County
HomeAid Orange County is the founding chapter of a national non-profit organization with the mission to build dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives. Founded in 1989 by the Orange County Chapter of the Building Industry Association of Southern California, HomeAid acts as the housing developer and liaison between service providers, community volunteers, builders and specialty contractors. With three projects
currently in development, to date the organization has completed 42 housing developments that serve victims of domestic violence, pregnant homeless women, abused and abandoned children, homeless adults living with HIV/AIDS and homeless families. www.homeaidoc.org
About BIA/OC
The Orange County Chapter of the Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIA/OC) is a non-profit trade association representing more than 1,000 companies employing over 117,000 people affiliated with the home building industry. The BIA/OC mission is to promote proactive participation in the development of economic and community issues in Orange County. The BIA/OC is affiliated with the California BIA and the National Association of
Home Builder. www.biaoc.com
Contact:
Carolyn Baker
HomeAid Orange County
Office: 949.553.9510
Cell: 714.469.9820
carolyn (at) homeaidoc (dot) org
